*-/
CONTENTS.
PAGE.
Preface, i
Floddon Field.— Fit 1 1
II 16
III 31
IV 47
V 59
VI 73
VII 86
VIII 101
IX 112
Notes, 121
Various Readings, 213
Glossary, 232
Appendix I. Lamentation of King James IV.... 251
The Bataile of Brampton, or Flod-
don Feld. (Mirrour of Magis-
trates, edit. 1587-4.) 259
II. Skelton, Laureate, against the Scottes.
(Certain bokes compiled by Mas-
ter Skelton, Poet Laureat, Lon-
4on,B. L. 1583. 12.) 269
CONTENTS.
PAGE.
Appendix III. The Complaint of King James of
Scotland. ( Ulpian FulwelVsFlo-
wer of Fame. London, 1575-4.) 287
IV. Epitaph of Sir Marmaduke Con-
stable, in Flamborough Church.
{Gentleman's Magazine, 1753.) 286
V. Song on the Victory of Floddon
Field. (Ritson's Ancient Songs,
1791.) 289
VI. The Laird of Muirhead. (Min-
strelsy of the Border, Vol. I.)... 294
VII. The Flowers of the Forest. (The
same, Vol. I.) 297
VIII. Ara Heroibus qui in Praelio apud
Fluidonem occubuerunt. (Jon-
stoni Heroes, &c. Lugduni,
1603-4.) 300
IX. Letter from Pope Leo X. to Hen-
ry VIII. (Rymer's Foedera.)... 302
X. Pitscottie's Account of the Battle
of Floddon. (Edit. 1738.) 306
XI. Hall's Account of the Battle.—
(Chronicle, 1550.) 327
XII. Ballade of the Bataile of Floddon.
(Harl. MSS. 293 and 367.) 366
TO
WALTER SCOTT, Esq.
&c. &c. &c.
THIS REPUBLICATION OF THE RUDE AND UNADORNED
METRICAL HISTORY
OF AN EVENT,
TO WHICH HE HAS LATELY GIVEN THAT CELEBRITY,
WHICH NONE BUT THE POET CAN BESTOW,
IS INSCRIBED
BY
HIS OBLIGED FRIEND AND FAITHFUL SERVANT,
HENRY WEBER.
ERRATA.
P. 13, 1. 6. For clump, read lump.
P. 13, 1. 7. For Benson Floddon, read Benson Flodden.
P. 277, note, 1. 9. For que 11% read quell'.
PREFACE.
The Poem, which is now again offered to the
public, accompanied with historical illustrations,
and the few other poetical remains, which have
descended to us, respecting the unfortunate
event which it celebrates, has met with so much
favour in the public eye, that no apology seems
to be requisite for again producing it. No less
than three editions saw the light between the
years 1770 and 1790, which have all become
scarce. It would be in vain to contend for any
great share of poetical merit in the execution;
but the unadorned and faithful manner in which
the battle is narrated, and the minute detail gi-
ven of circumstances, either but slightly touch-
ed upon by historians, or utterly unnoticed by
them, sufficiently account for the interest exci-
ted by it. And, though the general conduct of
the poem be too prolix, and the style too much
X PREFACE.
that of the chronicle ballad writers, who prece-
ded the more polished, but also more dull tra-
gedies of the Mirrour of Magistrates, there are
not wanting passages which evince considera-
ble vigour of versification, and spirit of narra-
tion ; and are certain indications of the abili-
ties of the anonymous author, to have composed
a poem of greater merit in point of execution.
His object was certainly not posthumous repu-
tation ; but to procure his fellow-countrymen of
the North of England, particularly those attach-
ed like him to the noble house of Stanley, an ac-
curate and minute account of a victory, in which
they had gained so much renown.
We are entirely in the dark respecting the
time in which our Minstrel flourished. The
date of the only ancient MS. which at present
is to be found, is about 1636, as will immediate-
ly be shewn. There can, however, be little
doubt, that it was produced during the prece-
ding century. After the accession of James to
the throne of England, the battle would not
have been the subject of popular celebration*
PREFACE. XI
A remarkable instance of the deference paid to
this monarch on this score, occurs in the his-
tory of the Mirrour of Magistrates. Two Po-
ems on the subject of Floddon Field, and the
death of James IV. (See Appendix, No. I.) which
had been introduced into the edition of 1587,
and which, in point of merit, are certainly not
inferior to the generality of the legends in that
collection, were omitted in the edition of 16 10.
The deviations which occur in the poem,
from those popular historians, Hall and Holin-
shed, and which would probably not have oc-
curred, had the author been acquainted with
their Chronicles, might lead us to assign a
much earlier date to it. One of the most inte-
resting incidents is not at all noticed by either
of them; nor have I been able to meet with it
in any other chronicler of the time. The au-
thor must therefore have had some other sour-
ces of information ; most probably traditions in
the house of Stanley, to which he seems to have
been attached. The very frequent and obvi-
ous alliteration is another, and a very strong
Xll PREFACE.
proof of the antiquity of the work. From all
these deductions, the assertion that it was pro-
duced about the middle of the l6*th century
will not be deemed rash.
We must at the same time allow, that the
state in which we are enabled to give the text,
is not that of the original. The orthography
of a poem calculated for such extensive circu-
lation among the lower orders of society, no
doubt underwent successive renovations : and
it is to be feared that the text also passed
through several improving hands before it reach-
ed the middle of the seventeenth century.
The hypothesis of a former Editor, that the
author was a Yorkshire schoolmaster, is utterly
untenable. He might possibly have been of
that profession ; but the passage on which the
assertion seems principally grounded, is un-
fortunately an interpolation by a schoolmaster
of the same county, but of the eighteenth cen-
tury, as we shall presently have occasion to
prove. The great and strongly-marked parti-
ality for the house of Stanley, and the Lancas-
PREFACE. Xlll
trian forces, and the more minute detail of their
operations, indicate a close connection of the
maker with that family. That this was not his
only production, is proved by the first stanza of
the poem, where he very evidently alludes to
another, in which he had celebrated King Hen-
ry VIII/s feats before Therouenne and Tournay.
Ballad-inditing was probably his principal, if
not his sole occupation.
Having nothing more to offer on this barren
subject, I shall proceed to give some accountof
the various copies of the work, which have been
collated for the present edition. The MS. men-
tioned in the catalogue of the Advocates' Lib-
rary does not at present exist there. Another
in the British Museum, (Harl. MSS. No, 3526)
the Editor had not an opportunity to collate
till the poem was printed off; but he had then
the satisfaction to find, that it perfectly coinci-
ded with the copy from which the text of the
present edition had been principally formed. #
* The whole manuscript contains the following articles :
1. Sixty four coats of arms of the family of Smith ; 2. The
XIV PREFACE.
The reasons for not following the MS. in the
possession of J. Askew, Esq will be mentioned
arms of various Scottish, Spanish, and Irish families ; 3.
An Appointment of Overseers of the Parish of Holborn,
" from Easter last past 1635 to Easter ensuing 1636,"
which therefore fixes the date of the MS.; 4. Arms of
English families ; 5. A Discourse on Arms ; 6. Arms of
other English families ; 7. Flodden Field, with the follow-
ing title : " Heare is the famous historie or songe, called
Floodan Field ; in it shalbe declare how, whyle Kinge
Henrie the Eight was in France, the King of Scoots, called
James, the fowerth of that name, invaded the realme of
England ; and how he was incountred with all at a place
called Branton, on Floodan Hill, by the Earl of Surry, live-
tenant-generall for the kinge, with the helpe of dyvers lords
and knights in the North Countrie, as the Lord Dakers of
the North, the Lord Scrope of Bolton, with the most co-
ragious knight Sir Edward Standley, who for his prowis
and valliantnes, shewed att the said battell, was made Lord
Mount Eagle, as the sequel declareth." This article is
written by two different hands; one of them also wrote
the following ; 8. The Song of St George, printed in Percy's
Reliques, and beginning,
" Why should wee host of Arthur and his knights."
9. The arms of the English bishops. — The following vari-
ations may be noticed : v. 1221, 'Thallion Field :' v. 1233,
* Cholmley of Chistayne :' v. 1637, * His face with velvett
vicerne hyd.' It is remarkable, that this corruption has in-
fected all the old copies, which have come to the Editor's
hands.
PREFACE. XV
when we come to speak of Mr Lambe's edi-
tion.
In the year 3664, an edition bearing the fol-
lowing title was published : " Floddan Field, in
Nine Fits, being an exact History of that fa-
mous memorable Battle, fought between Eng-
lish and Scots on Floddan Hill, in the time of
Henry the Eighth, anno 1513; worthy the pe-
rusal of the English Nobility. London, printed
by P. L. for H. B. W. P. and S. H. and are to
be sold in Ivy-lane and Gray's-inn-gate, 1664.
Licensed November 11th, 1663. Roger L'Es-
trange," 12mo, which has been almost exclu-
sively followed in the present republication.
It is in the possession of W. Scott, Esq. and I
am not acquainted with the existence of any
other copy.
Two several editions were printed in the year
1774. The one in small 12mo, by Joseph Ben-
son, Philomath, and professed to be f< collect-
ed from ancient manuscripts;" the other was
printed at Berwick, and edited by the Rev. Mr
XVI PREFACE.
Lambe, vicar of Norham upon Tweed. There
is a third edition mentioned by Ritson, "print-
ed, though very incorrectly, by old Gent of
York/' (Jnc. Songs, Lond. 1790, p. 116,) but.
which has not come under the inspection of the
present Editor.
Benson acquaints us, that he printed from
an ancient manuscript, very imperfect in some
parts. From whence these imperfections were
supplied, he does not mention. However, his
text is far more ancient than that of Lambe.
The edition of Lambe has been honoured
with frequent notice by very eminent judges.
But with regard to the first duties of an Editor,
he failed most grossly. He gave no account of
the manuscript from which he printed his text,
and which he seems actually to have sent to
the press. It was natural to suppose from the
expression, upon the title page, ' a curious ma-
nuscript,' that he had made use of a very an-
cient copy. In this way he saved his con-
cience, and deceived the purchasers of his
PREFACE. XVli
book. # For, the friendly exertions of Walter
Scott, Esq. and Patrick Brydone, Esq. having
procured the Editor a sight of this manuscript,
he was greatly disappointed in discovering the
very modern date of it. There are certain evi-
dences that it was written after 1 707, as Each-
ard's History, which is quoted in the notes, was
published in that year; and the modern hand-
writing demonstrates, that it was copied thirty
or forty years after that. The manuscript is
in folio., and appears to have been copied out
for the press. The title is as follows : " The
famous old Ballad History of the Battles of
Floddon Field, which were fought between the
English, under the Earl of Surrey, (in the ab-
sence of King Henry VIII. of England, who was
fighting in France,) and the Scots, under their
valiant King James IV. of Scotland, who was
slain in the said Battle in the year of our bles-
* Among others, the accurate Ritson was deceived, as
appears in his " Ancient Songs," p. 116.
XV1I1 PREFACE.
sed Lord 1513; containing the valiant and re-
nowned Actions of several Lords, Knights, and
Squires." After a dedication "To the Gentlemen,
Yeomen, and Others, on the Borders of York-
shire, and the Borders and Fells of Lancashire,"
we have the following second title : " The fa-
mous History, or Ballad, of the Battles fought
in Floddon Field ; taken from an ancient ma-
nuscript, (which was transcribed by Mr Rich-
ard Guy, late schoolmaster in Ingleton, York-
shire") It is possible that this expression mis-
led Lambe in his hypothesis respecting the
author of the work. Mr Guy (or perhaps
the transcriber from his transcript,) did not
content himself with copying what he found,
but modernized and embellished with no sparing
hand. He was grossly ignorant of ancient, or
even mere ballad-literature, as he ridiculously
substituted ' Fight' for ' Fit/ and changed all
ancient words into modern ones. The tran-
script subsequently underwent the further in-
novations and polish of Mr Lambe, who boldly
corrected into it, and therefore entertained no
PREFACE. XIX
sense of the duty incumbent on him, to pre-
serve curious MSS. immaculate. #
The interpolation which was always suspect-
ed by the Editor, (and in this he had also the
concurrence of Mr Walter Scott,) occurs after
v. 326, and is silently adopted by Mr Lambe,
though acknowledged by the transcriber as
the product of his own fancy. Instead of the
following stanza in the original :
" Most stately halls, and houses gay,
And buildings brave, they boldly burned ;
And with a mighty spoil and prey,
Toward Scotland they straight returned ;"
the transcriber, and intended editor, foists in the
following most unaccountable rhapsody, on a sub-
ject totally unconnected with the battle, and in
* He corrects, for instance, the line,
" Marsh Warden was o'er East also,"
into " March Warden over East also."
Instead of, " But straight he flew," he prefers " Straight-
way he flew."
" Was it not for a traitorous thief,"
he alters to, " Had there not been a traitorous thief."
XX PREFACE.
such an awkward manner, that he could not
even afford rhymes for the last stanza, in which
qualification the old copy is never deficient :
" Most stately halls and buildings gay,
With sacrilegious hands they burn ;
And this has always been their way,
Whenever they could serve their turn.
'•' But happy Harrard* Church o' the Hill,
Thou always 'scaped their barb'rous rage;
And thou wert once, so art thou still,
The wonder of the present age.
" There Judge Gascoigne, once wisely grave,
With his fair dame entomb'd doth lie;
And there lies Rudimond so brave,
In armour, by his family.
With other noble persons too,
For valour fam'd and piety ;
Their monuments you now may view,
Most sweet and lovely to the eye.
But to return, for I've digrest,
The Scots thus having overrun
The bordering parts, and filled with prey,
They thought to Scotland to return?
* I quote from the MS ; in which " Harrard" is altered by
Mr Lambe into " Harwood."
PREFACE. X3U
The following clumsy confession is subjoined
in a note, which Mr Lambe must either most
strangely have overlooked, or not have chosen
to observe : " I could not forbear, while speak-
ing of the ruin of buildings, always perpetrated
by the vile and barbarous Scots, whenever they
had the power, but to take notice of Harrard
Church, about three quarters of a mile from
Harrard, and five miles from Ottley, Yorkshire.
The tombs and effigies above mentioned, have
escaped being defaced, being near 300 years
since set up, as may be supposed from Mr Each-
ard's History of England, p. 180."
For the same reason, the following stanza,
which only occurs in this MS. and in Mr Lambe's
copy after verse 2044, could not be received in-
to the text :
Who now intombed lies at church,
Carved out in stone to shew his fate;
That though, by fate, left in the lurch,
He died a death renowned and great.
It is to be feared that too much indulgence has
been granted to the two stanzas inserted from
XXII TEEFACE.
his edition, at verse 2237 > and inelosed in brack-
ets.*
Besides these innovations, the History, which
the old Rhymer had divided into nine Fits, has,
in this MS. and Mr Lambe's edition, another
division into three parts, and stanzas are intro-
duced to announce the arrival of the second
and third. The division of the old copies,
though not very conveniently executed, is how-
ever fully sufficient.
The principal variations of the three different
copies have been collected, partly with the view
of proving the evident superiority of the valu-
able edition of 1 664, and partly to authorise any
departure from that text, where it was evident-
ly corrupted. To have reprinted all the nume-
rous minute differences, would have answered
no kind of useful purpose.
* I take this opportunity to correct a mistake which has
crept into the list of Various Readings, p. 231, 1. 6. It is
there mentioned, that another stanza had been interpolated
at line 2283. This is, however, not the case, nor is the stan-
za 2290 wanting in Lambe's copy; but has only changed
place with the preceding one in his MS. and edition.
PREFACE. XXlll
As to the historical notes which are subjoin-
ed, the Editor was anxious to make them as
useful as possible ; and therefore the quotations
are chiefly taken from genealogical and topo-
graphical works ; though he is conscious, from
the scantiness of his materials, that sufficiently
new and curious matter will not be found in
them.
The notes annexed in Lambed edition have
obtained him the applause of men well qualified
to judge them. They have therefore been pre-
served wherever they are in the least pertinent
to the subject; but his long rambling disserta-
tions could not be retained. Thus, after ex-
plaining in a few words, the term stour, he goes
on with observations on classical literature, on
the origin of the Scots and their language, on
Chevy-chace, on Shakespeare, on editions of
Latin authors, on Robin Hood, on Home, and
concludes with a long review of a passage in
Pope's Odyssey !
The Glossary is on so contracted a scale,
that no attempt has been made to render it in
XXIV PREFACE.
any degree scientifical. Wherever the admi-
rable Glossaries of Ruddiman, Tyrwhitt, and
Chalmers, afforded any explanation, their au-
thority has been preferred.
All the ancient poems which could he col-
lected on the subject of the battle, will be found
in the Appendix ; together with the account
given of the battle by Hall and Pitscottie, two
of the most authentic chroniclers of both na-
tions. The relation of the former is the fullest,
and in general the most accurate we have of
this event.
The Editor cannot conclude this Work with-
out mentioning the numerous obligations which
he has received in the prosecution of it. He is
particularly anxious to acknowledge the friend-
ship of Walter Scott, Esq. who not only favour-
ed him with advice as to the general plan of
the publication, but also supplied him with the
materials, without which the text could not
have received any degree of authority. The
very curious copy of the edition of 1664 is here
alluded to, as well as the manuscript which Mr
PREFACE. XXV
Lambe used in his edition. To Patrick Bry-
done, Esq. and to the possessor of this manu-
script, J. Askew, Esq. of Palinsburn, who, with
singular liberality, permitted it to be sent to
Edinburgh, the Editor also begs leave to express
his obligations. For some very valuable com-
munications, which will be found specified in
the Notes, he is indebted to the kindness of
George Chalmers,, Esq.
\
To face j..l._ Deferibed p.2Ql.
!>.,/■/,,/„<//.,, A. Constable v C
FLODDEN-FIELD
FIT THE FIRST.
-N ow will I cease for to recite
King Henry's affairs in France so wide,
And of domestic wars FJ1 write,
That in his absence did betide.
A fearful field in verse to frame, 5
I mean if that to mark ye list,
O Flodden Mount ! thy fearful name
Doth sore affray my trembling fist.
Almighty Mars ! do me admit
For to discourse, with sounding praise, 10
This bloody field, this fearful fight,
Which fought was in our fathers' days.
A
g FLODDEN-FIELD.
You Muses all my mind incense,
And thou, Polymnia, most prudent !
Lest Nemesis, for each offence, 15
With poet's rod make me repent.
Pardon, ye poets all, I cry,
My simple, rude, and rugged rhyme ;
Even tho' the hill, Parnassus high,
Presumptuously I press to climb. 20
For what is he, with haughty stile,
Such deeds of honour could contrive ?
No, not the poet, great Virgile,
If that on earth he was alive.
Who could reveal in volume short, £5
The haughty Howard's noble act ?
Though paper none did make report,
Fame would not fail such noble fact.
Or thou, O Stanley, stiff in stour,
Thou imp of Mars, thy worthy meeds 30
Who can discourse with due honour,
Or paint with praise thy valiant deeds ?
FLODDEN-FIELD. t
Thy doleful daywork still shall be
In Scotland curs' d with an outcry :
For Hector's match this man was he, 35
Who climb'd the mount of Flodden high.
What banners, bravely blaz'd and borne,
What standarts stout brought he to ground,
What worthy lords by him forlorn,
What sorrow in Scotland yet doth sound ! 40
Ye heavenly powers ! your aid I crave,
My sleeping muse help to awake ;
Grant, this work, which in hand I have,
A lucky fine and end may make.
Before King Henry crost the seas, 45
And e'er to France he did transfleet,
Least that the Scots should him disease,
He constituted captains meet.
For he perusing, in presence
Of English kings, their battles bold, 50
He saw how Scots in their absence,
What damage they had done of old.
4 * ILODDENVFIELD.
Wherefore, least they should work some teen,
As they thought to have done indeed,
His realm unto his royal queen, 56
He left to be ruled by her read.
Then for the Earl of Surrey he sent,
And regent of the north him made ;
And bade him, if the Scots were bent
The northern borders to invade : 60
That he should raise a royal band,
In Bishoprick and in Yorkshire,
In Westmoreland and Cumberland,
In Cheshire and in Lancashire*
" And if thou need Northumberland," 05
Quoth he, " there be strong men and stout,
That will not stick, if need doth stand,
To fight on horseback, or on foot.
" There is the doughty Dacres old,
Warden of the west-march is he : 70
There are the bows of Kendal bold,
Who fierce will fight and never flee.
FLODDEN-FIELD. 5
* There is Sir Edward Stanley stout,
For martial skill clear without make,
Of Latham-house by line came out, 75
Whose blood will never turn their back.
te All Lancashire will live and die
With him, so chiefly will Cheshire :
For through his father's force, quoth he,
This kingdom first came to my sire. 80
" Lord Clifford too a lusty troop
Will there conduct, a captain wise ;
And with the lusty knight, Lord Scroop,
The power of Richmondshire will rise.
u The wardens all look that you warn, 85
To hearken what the Scots forecast ;
If they the signs of wars discern,
Bid them the beacons fire fast."—
The Earl then sigh'd with sorry heart,
And drown'd his face with trickling tears, 90
When from his Prince he did depart,
And from his royal country peers.
fi I LODDEN-FIELD.
" Grant thou/ quoth he, " Almighty God !
A shameful death that he may die,
That is the cause of mine abode, 95
Bereav'd of my king's company." —
Some thought to th' King of Scots that he
1 Did wish such foul fortune and fate ;
And some thought to the Earl of Derby,
With whom he had a great debate. 300
The Earl then his tenants tall,
Martially in musters did elect;
And then his way, by journeys small,
To Pomfret-castle did direct.
Then did he send Sir William Bulmer, 105
And bade him on the Borders lie,
With ordinance, and other geer,
Each house of fence to fortify.
And bade him call the Borderers bold,
And hold with him in readiness ; 110
And get him word, with speed he could,
If that the Scots meant his distress.
FLODDEN-FIELD. 7
Then caus'd he watch in ev'ry street,
And posts to prick thro' downs and dales :
So what was wrought he straight did weet 1 15
From Carlisle to the coasts of Wales.
When flying Fame, that monstrous wight,
With hundred wings wapping was flown,
And in the court of Scotland light,
And bruit abroad was blazed and blown 120
Of King Henry's enterprize,
And how he fared was into France,
With all his peers in princely wise,
To bring that land to his obeysance :
England to over- run with rage, 126
The Scots then meant, as was their guise,
Still, when the King was under age,
Or occupied some otherwise. ,
King James his courage 'gan to increase,
And of his council crav'd to know, 130
If he had better live in peace,
Or fight against his brother-in-law.
8 FLODDEN-FIELD.
ct Alas/' said he, " my heart is sore,
And care constraineth me to weep,
That ever I to England swore, 135
Either league or love a day to keep.
M Had I not entred in that hand,
I swear now by this burnish'd blade,
England and Scotland both one land,
And kingdom one I could have made. 140
" That realm we should so over-run,
That England still after this age,
As our elders to them have done,
Unto our crown to do homage." —
Then stood there up a baron stout, 145
A lusty laird of Douglas blood.
" My liege," quoth he, t€ have you no doubt,
But mark my words, with mirthful mood.
" The league is broke, have you no dreed,
Believe me, liege, my words are true. 150
What was the English Admiral's deed,
When Andrew Barton bold he slew I
FLODDEN-FIELD. 9
(< Your ships and armour too he took ;
And since their King did nothing fear
To send his aid against the Duke 155
Of Gelders, your own cousin dear.
" Hath not the bastard Heron slain
Your warden with his spiteful spear?
The league and peace are therefore vain ;
My liege, you nothing have to fear." — 160
Then manful Maxwell answered soon :
" My liege, the league is broke by right ;
For th' English King ought not t'have gone
Against your friends in France to fight.
" Have you in league not entered late 165
With Lewis, your cousin, the French King ?
And now you see, what great debate
Betwixt the King and him doth hing.
" What greater kindness could you show
Unto your friend, the King of France, 170
Than in English blood your blade t'imbrue,
Against their land to lift your lance ?
10 TLODDEN-FIELD.
t( You see what damage to you was done
By English Kings in time of old ;
Your borders burned, and Berwick town 175
Still by strong hand they from you hold.
" Wherefore, more time let's not consume, '
But fiercely fight that land again/' —
And then stood up haughty Lord Hume,
Of Scotland the chief chamberlain. ISO
" My liege," quoth he, <c in all your life,
More lucky fate could never fall ;
For now that land, with little grief,
Unto your crown you conquer shall.
" King Henry, you understand, 185
To France is past with all his peers :
At home is left none in the land,
But joult-head monks, and bursten fryers,
" Or ragged rustics, without rules,
Or priests, prating for pudding-shives, 1Q0
Or millners, madder than their mules,
Or wanton clerks, waking their wives.
FLODDEN-FIELD. U
* There's not a lord left in England,
But all are gone beyond the sea ;
Both knight and baron, with his band, 1Q5
With ordnance, or artillery" —
The King then call'd to De-la-mount,
Which bodword out of France did bring ;
Quoth he : " The nobles names pray count,
That are encamp'd withth' English king." 200
" That will I do, my liege," quoth he,
" As many as I have at heart ;
First, there's the Earl of Derby,
With a lusty lord, call'd Herbert.
(e There is an earl, of antique race, 205
Passing in pride and costly array ;
In his banner brave he displays
A half-moon in gold glistering gay " —
" That is the lusty Piercy plain,"
The King can say, and gave a stamp ; 210
w There is not such a lord again,
No, not in all King Henry's camp." —
12 FLODDEN-FIELD.
" There is a lord, that bold doth bear
A talbot* brave, a burly tike,
Whose father struck France so with fear, 21o
As made poor wives and children skrike." —
The King then answered at one word :
" That is the Earl of Shrewsbury ;
There is likewise a lusty lord,
Which call'd is the doughty Darcy : 220
u There is Dudley, and Delaware,
And Decroy, great lords all three ;
The Duke of Buckingham is there,
Lord Cobham and Lord Willoughby.
a There is the Earl of Essex gay, ZZb
And Stafford stout, Earl of Wiltshire ;
There is the Earl of Kent, Lord Gray,
With haughty Hastings, hot as fire.
* Though all the editions concur in spelling Talbot as a pro-
per name, there can be no doubt, that the family name of the
Earl of Shrewsbury is not alluded to, but the supporters of
the arms, which are two talbots argent. The words " a bur-
ly tike," (a rough dog,) leave no doubt that this explanation
is the true one, as a talbot, in heraldick language, is a species
of hoand.
FLODDEN-FIELD. IS
xe There is the Marquis Dorset brave,
Fitzwater, and Fitzleigh, lords great; 230
Of doughty knights the lusty lave
I never could by name repeat.
" There is a knight of the north country,
Which leads a lusty clump of spears ;
I know not what his name should be, — ■ 235
A boisterous bull, all black, he bears."
Lord Hume then answered, loud on hight ;
" This same is Sir John Nevil bold ;
King Harry hath not so hardy a knight,
In all his camp, my coat I hold. 240
** He doth maintain, withouten doubt,
The Earl of Westmoreland's estate ;
I know of old his stomach stout,
In England is not left his mate." —
The King then asked his lords all round, 245
If wars or peace they did prefer ?
They cried, and made the hall to sound :
" Let peace go back, and let's have war !
14 FL0DDEN-I1ELD.
" Our armour is for usage marr'd,
Both helmet, habergeon, and crest ; 250
Our startling nags, in stable sparr'd,
Are waxen wild with too much rest.
" Our staves, that were both tall and streight,
Wax crooked, and are cast each where ;
Therefore in England let's go fight, 55
Our booties brave from them to bear." —
The King rejoiced then to see
His lords such lively hearts to have ;
And to their says did soon agree,
And plyed to their pleasures brave. 260
With that on Lyon loud he cried,
And took to him a letter broad ;
Quoth he, " No longer look thou bide,
But toward France soon take thy road.
" To Terwin town take thou thy way, 26,5
And greet well there my brother-in-law,
And bid him there no longer stay,
But homeward to his country draw
FLODDEN-FIELD. 15
" And bid him cease his furious force.,
Against my friend, the King of France, 270
For fear domestic wars prove worse ;
And make from me full defiance.
u And summon him soon to return,
Lest that our power we ply apace ;
With fire and sword we beat and burn 275
His men and land in little space." —
Then Lyon made him boun lightly,
And with his coat of arms him deck'd ;
He haled up sail right heartily,
And towards France his way direct. 280
16 FLODDEN-FIELD.
FIT THE SECOND.
Meanwhile, the King can letters write,
Which pricking posts apace did bear
To all his lords, which had delight,
With him in England arms to wear.
Then every lord and knight each where, 285
And barons bold in musters met;
Each man made haste to mend his gear,
And some their rusty pikes did whet.
Some made a mell of massy lead,
Which iron all about did bind; 290
Some made a helmet for the head,
And some their grisly gisarings grind.
Some made their battle-axes bright;
Some from their bills did rub the rust ;
Some made long pikes, and lances light ; 295
Some pike-forks for to join and thrust.
FLODDEN-FIEL©. 17
Some did a spear for weapon wield ;
Some did their lusty geldings try ;
Some all with gold did gild their shield ;
Some did with divers colours dye. 300
The tillmen tough their teams could take,
And to hard harness them conflate ;
One of a share can shortly make
A sallat for to save his pate.
Dame Ceres did unserved remain, 305
The fertile fields did lie untilled ;
Outrageous Mars so sore did reign,
That Scotland was wxith fury filled.
Ayhereof the King, in heart full fain
His men had all things ready made, 310
Did then command his chamberlain
In England for to make a raid.
The chamberlain, Lord Hume, in haste,
O'er th' east-march warden was also,
Within the English borders brast, 315
With full eight thousand men and moe ;
B
IS FLODDEN-FIELD.
And enter'd in Northumberland,
With banners bravely blazed and borne ;
And finding none them to withstand,
They straight destroyed both hay and corn ;320
And spoiled and harried all abroad,
And on each side booties in brought;
Some coursers got, some geldings good,
And droves of kine and cattle caught.
Most stately halls, and houses gay, 325
And buildings brave, they boldly bumed ;
And with a mighty spoil and prey,
Toward Scotland they straight returned.
Sir William Buhner, being told
Of this great road and wild array, 330
Did strait forecast all means he could,
The Scots in their return to stay.
Two hundred men himself did lead,
To him there came the Borderers stout,
And divers gentlemen, with speed, 335
Repaired to him with all their rout.
ii
FLODDEN-FIELD. \9
They were not all a thousand men,
But knowing where the Scots would come,
The Borderers best their course did ken,
And hid them in a field of broom. 340
The Scots came scouring homewards fast,
And proudly pricked forth with their prey ;
Thinking their perils all were past,
They straggling ran clear out of 'ray.
The Englishmen burst forth apace, 345
And skirmished with the Scots anon ;
There was fierce fighting, face to face,
And many geldings made to groan.
There men might see spears fly in speels,
And tall men tumbling on the soil, 350
And many a horse turn'd up his heels;
Outrageous Mars kept such a coil.
The Scots their strength did long extend,
And broken ranks did still renew;
But the English archers, in the end, 355
With arrow-shot, full sore them slew.
20 FLODDEN-FIELD.
The English spears, on the other side,
Among the Scots did fiercely fling,
And through their ranks did rattling ride, &60
And chased them thro' moss, mire, and ling.
The chamberlain, viewing this chance,
And seeing his host all put to flight,
Did with the foremost forth advance ;
And happy he had a horse so light.
For prickers him so nigh pursued, 365
His banner-bearer down they bet;
And all the prey and spoil rescued,
Besides a sort of geldings get.
Six hundred Scots lay slain on ground,
Five hundred prisoners and more ; 370
Of Englishmen, slain in that stound,
The number was not past threescore.
In August month this broil befel,
The day still black with Scottish blood !
As diverse old men yet do tell, 375
The Scots call it the devilish road.
FLODDEN-FIELD. . 21
Thus, while the Scots, both nigh and far,
Were thro' all Scotland occupied,
In framing weapons fit for war,
And mustering men on every side : r 380
By this time came the herald sent,
Before the town of Turwin high,
Where to King Harry straight he went,
And louring low upon his knee,
The King he reverently gan greet, 385
And took to him his letters large ;
His master's mind he let him weet,
And did his message whole discharge.
The letters soon were look'd upon,
And in the King's presence perused ; 390
King James's mind he knew full soon,
And found himself most sore abused ;
Who summoned him his siege to cease,
And eke those wars taken in hand ;
Or else he, with a mighty press, 395
Would straight invade his native land.
tt FLODDEN-FIELD.
King Henry's heart began to rise,
And to the herald he can say :
* Thy master thus I did surmise,
In our absence would partly play. 400
u Indeed he doth not now digress
From his old predecessors prave ;
But if he do my land distress,
I hope he welcome hard shall have.
" For in my land I left a lord, 405
Who, aiding of my royal queen,
Will stay your prince at point of sword,
And turn such truthless guests to teen.
" Let him not deem so destitute,
My land of lords and lusty knights ; 410
For if he dare to prosecute,
He there shall find some warlike wights ;
u Which will withstand him stiff in stour,
And eke his streaming standarts rent ;
We'll send upon him many a shower 415
Of arrows, ere he pass the Trent.
FLODDEN-FIELD. 23
* For since he perjured now doth prove,
And doth so small esteem his oath ;
Our siege we will not cease to move,
Be he never so wood or wroth* 420
" But a valiant vow now we shall make,
At what time as we shall return,
All Scotland we shall harry and sack,
And never cease to spoil and burn ;
" And never peace with him contrive, 425
Nor never league nor loveday take,
While one false Scot is left alive,
And till that land be brought to wrack." —
Then he to the King of Scots can write
A letter fast of full defiance : 430
* That he, for all his ire and spight,
Would still proceed his wars in France."
And took it to the Herald's hand,
And gave him eke a rich reward ;
Then homewards he away gan wend, 435
And towards Scotland forth he far'd.
24 FLODDEN-FIELD.
But while he waited for the wind,
And for his ship did things ordain,
For all his haste he came behind,
He never saw his prince again. 440
Anon King Henry the Scottish bill
Unto the Earl of Surrey sent
To Pomfret, where he stayed still,
And bade him be for battle bent.
The Earl all things 'gan to provide, 445
The Scotch King's purpose to resist ;
And thro' all Scotland, far and wide,
All that was done straight way he wist.
For the Lord Dacres did perceive
The Scots' intentions manifest ; 450
Their meetings and their musters brave,
And daily ridings, without rest.
The sooth whereof he sent straightway,
And told the Earl of Surrey sage,
That time was not to make delay, 455
But soldiers soon to fee and wage.
FLODD EN-FIELD. 25
Which, when the Earl understood,
His letters fast he forth did 'dress
Unto each man of noble blood,
To have their men in readiness ; 460
And eke what numbers they could make,
Of warlike wights all well arrayed ;
Then with Sir Philip Tilney spake,
How that their wages might be paid ;
And after for ordnance he sent 465
Unto Sir Nicholas Appleyard ;
Which to his bidding soon was bent,
And towards him apace prepared
With culverings and cortals great,
And double cannons two or three; 470
He brought them on by stee and street,
To Durham in the north country.
That done, the Earl letters wrote
Unto each castle, fort, and hold,
That they should furnish them with shot, 475
And fortify their bulwarks bold.
26 FLODDEN-FIELD.
Which answered all with stomach stout,
And every captain with his crew,
That they would beat the Scots quite out, 480
Till the King came home with their rescue.
Which answer of the captains keen,
The Earl Surrey greatly did delight.
But this while what the Scots did mean,
And of King James then will I write.
For after he to his brother-in-law 48a
Defiance into France had sent,
His nobles all to him did draw,
Well busked, and for battle bent.
When they were all assembled sam
The town of Edenbrough before, 490
Fifty great lords there were of fame,
And barons bold besides great store
And prelates proud a populous lave,
And abbots boldly there were boun,
With bishop of St Andrews brave, 495
Which was King James his bastard son.
FLODDEN-FIELD. 27
Surely 'twas an unseemly sight,
Contrary to our Christian laws,
A prelate for to press to fight,
And specially in a wicked cause. 500
Are these the Scot's religious rules ?
Who taught their priests such pranks perverse,
To march forth mustered on their mules,
And soldier-like to sue God Mars ?
The messenger of Christ, St Paul, 505
Taught them to shoot at no such prick ;
Peter, nor Christ's apostles all,
Ne'er taught them any such a trick*
Their patron so did not them learn,
Saint Andrew with his shored cross; 510
But sure St Triman of Quhytehorn,
Or Boffin, their demigod of Ross.
This bishop bold, this bastard blest,
With other bishops in his band,
And abbots eke, bold as the rest, 515
For beagle-rods took bills in hand.
28 FLODDEN-FIELD.
And every lord with him did lead
A mighty band, for battle prest ;
So that in numbers they did exceed
A hundred thousand men at least. 520
King James for joy began to jet,
So huge an army to behold ;
Then soon he bade them forward set,
And eke blaze out his banners bold.
Each lord went on then with his band, 525
And every captain with his crew ;
Then minstrels mirthed all the land,
And brazen trumpets loud up blew.
Then drums struck up with hideous sound,
And banners bravely waved wide ; 530
Men might no where behold bare ground,
But soldiers arm'd on every side.
In midst of ranks there rode the king,
On stately steed which stoutly stamp'd,
A goodly sight to see him fling, 535
And how his foamy bits he champ'd.
FLODD EN-FIELD. 25)
King James thus gorgeously gan ride,
Great pleasure to his peers to see ;
Thus rode this prince, pufPd up with pride,
Whose lofty heart was but too high : 540
For he thought himself able enough,
Having so mighty a multitude,
All Europe then for to pass through,
And that no hold could him exclude ;
Nor any king in Christendome, .545
In field to meet him was of might;
No, not the great Caesar of Rome
Had been of force with him to fight ;
Nor Hercules, nor Hannibal,
The Soldan, Sophy, nor the Turk ; 550
None of the mighty monarchs all ;
Such lusty blood did in him lurk.
But yet for all his armed host,
And eke for all his haughty heart,
Full soon abated was his bost, 555
When brought to London in a cart.
SO FLODDEN-FIELD.
Even in the midst of harvest-tide,
The two-and-twentieth of August,
Did this proud prince, puft up with pride,
Into the English borders burst; 560
FLODDEN-FIELD. 31
FIT THE THIRD.
Where piles he pulled down apace,
And burly buildings brought to ground ;
The Scots like grooms void of all grace,
Or soldiers sacred to Mahound,
Fair matrons they did force each where, 56$
And ravish'd maidens fair and mild,
And houses burnt, and bent up gear,
And murther'd many a man and child ;
For so the king commanded had,
To waste and spoil with fire and flame : 570
And rifling so by journies rade,
To Norham castle strait they came ;
Which soon with siege he did beset,
And trenches digg'd without delay ;
With bombard shot the walls he bet, 575
And to assault it did assay.
32 FLODDEN-FIELD.
But the captain, with courage stout,
His fortress fiercely did defend ;
Alas ! too lewdly he lash'd out,
And foolishly his ordnance spend ; 580
And powder did profusely waste,
And hail'd out arrows every hour ;
So that he lacked at the last,
What should have been his chief succour.
But yet five days he did defend, 585
Tho* with hard 'saults they him assail'd ;
And all their total strength extend ;
Yet all their power had not prevail'd,
Had it not been a false trait'rous thief,
Who came King James's face before, 5Q0
Who in that hold had got relief,
The space of thirty years and more.
" I sa}'," quoth he, u King James my liege,
Your 'deavours here are all in vain,
For all your 'saults and hard besiege 595
Of gun-shot here ye get no gain.
FLODDEN-FIELD. 33
* But what reward shall I receive,
Quoth he, express and speak anon,
And I shall let you plain perceive
How that this castle may be won." — 600
u If that to pass thou bring this can/'
(The King gan say, where he did stand,)
u I shall make thee a gentleman,
And living give thee in our land."
" Then first of all refuse this place, 605
And down to yonder vallies draw ;
The walls so shall ye rent and raze,
And with brief battery bring them low."
Which as he said, the king did so,
And 'gainst the walls his ordnance bent; 6 10
And ere five piece were shot or mo.
The walls were all to-razed and rent.
Which made the captain sore agast,
Seeing the walls down rattling reel'd ;
His weapons all away he cast, 6 1 5
And to King James simply did yield.
€
34 FLODDEN-FIELD.
The Scots anon they scoured in,
And plied apace unto their prey;
Look, what was worth one point or pin,
Ye need not bid them bear't away. 62<*
So when the Scots the walls had won,
And rifled ev'ry place and nook,
The traytor came to th' King anon,
For his reward ready to look.
The King then ask'd him, by and by, 625
Where he was born, and in what place ?
The false knave nothing did deny,
But said a Scotchman born he was.
The King then ask'd him, with words mild,
How long time he had lodged there ; 630
Quoth he, " Still since I was a child,
A good deal more than thirty year." —
" Why," quoth the King, f ' hast thou thus wrought
Unto thy friends this frantic rage ?
That in this castle thee up brought, 635
And still have given thee meat and wage ?
FLODDEN-FIELD. 35
" Now since thy faith is falsified
To them that gave thee meat and fee,
It is a token to be tried,
That thou wilt not prove true to me. 640
a Therefore for this, thy trait'rous trick,
Thou shalt be tied in a trace :
Hangman," quoth he, " therefore be quick,
The groom shall gain no better grace." —
What he had said fore-past was nought, 645
The King's judgment was worthy praise ;
If he in all things had so wrought,
Belike he had driven forth more days.
By this time came the pricking post,
And made the Earl to understand, 650
How that the King, with a great host,
Already entered had the land.
Which when the Earl of Surrey knew,
It was but vain to bid him hast ;
He sent to all his friends full true, 655
That they their men should muster fast.
3« FLODDEN-FIELD.
And shortly sent to every shire,
That the first day of September,
Both gentlemen, knights, lords, and squire,
Unto Newcastle should repair. 660
Then with five hundred soldiers stout,
Himself set forth in fine array,
And neither stint, nor staid his foot,
But strait to Durham took his way.
Where he devoutly did hear mass, 665
And worshipt God, his maker dear ;
Then pray'd the prayer of that place,
Saint Cuthbert's banner for to bear.
Then strait he to Newcastle came,
Of August on the thirtieth day ; 670
Where many a nobleman of fame
To him did draw without delay.
There doughty Dacres did him meet,
And brought with him a burly band
Of warlike wights, right well replete, 675
From Westmoreland and Cumberland.
FLODDEN-FIELD. 37
Sir Marmaduke Constable stout,
Accompanied with his seemly sons;
Sir William Bulmer with his rout,
Lord Clifford with his clapping guns. 680
Then from Newcastle 'gan he flit,
And took his way to Alnwick town ;
That weary men with weather bit
Might have the more easement and room.
Then might you see on every side, 685
The ways all filFd with men of war;
Here, silken streamers waving wide,
And helmets high glist'ring afar.
From Lancashire and Cheshire fast,
They to the lusty Stanley drew ; 6Q0
From Hornby whereas he in hast
Set forward with a comely crew.
What banners brave before him blazed !
The people mused where he did pass ;
Poor husbandmen were much amazed, 695
And women wond'ring cried, alas !
38 FLODDEN-FIELD.
Young wives did weep in woful cheer,
To see their friends in harness drest ;
Some rent their clothes, some tore their hair,
Some held their babes unto their breast. 700
And woful mothers mourning stood
Viewing their sons in harness horse ;
And shouting shriek'd, when they forth rode.
And of their lives took little force.
But who could plainly express with pen 705
What masses said on hallowed stone ;
What prayers of religious men,
What sacred service eke was done ?
That Stanley might come safe away,
And victor valiantly return, 7 10
The bells did sound a night and day,
And sacred fires bright did burn.
Men with grey heads drew to their beads,
And fast their prayers poured out;
Old wives for woe did wag their heads, 715
And saints were sought on naked foot.
FLODDEN-FIELD. 39
But Stanley over Stainmore strait
Did pass, and resting there did view
A banner brave, born up on height,
Whereunder went a warlike crew. 720
" What lusty troop is yon I see ?"
Sir Edward Stanley he did cry :
A yeoman said — " It is, I see,
" Bryan Tunstal that bold esquire.
" For in his banner I behold 19,5
A cock curling as he would crow ;
He brings with him his tenants bold,
An hundred men at least I know." —
Then said the Stanley where he stood, 729
u Would Christ that he would take our part,
His clear and undefiled blood,
Good speed doth promise at my heart.
a Blaze out, therefore, I bid you soon,
The Earl of Derby's banner brave ;
Perchance with us he will be one, 735
When it in sight he shall perceive."
40 FLODDEN-FIELD.
But Tunstal took no heed that tide,
Without saluting forth he went ;
Upon the valiant Howard's side,
His faithful heart he fixed fast. 740
Then said the Stanley where he stood,
" O doughty lads, draw up your hearts ;
Be not amazed in your mood,
For Tunstal will not take our parts.
" Set forward, sirs" — then did he say, 745
" Unto the Howards let's make hast."-^-
And being sore wearied with the way,
At Alnwick they arrived at last.
Whose coming greatly did rejoice
The Earl and all his company ; 750
Who but the eagle bare the voice,
With wings wapped as he would flee ?
At Alnwick while the army increased,
The weather waxt both foul and wet ;
With rain down rattling never ceased, 755
That every brook burst forth on float.
FLODDEN-FIELD. 41
Such rustling winds, such blust'ring blast,
Down rushing day and night did sound ;
Which made the Earl full sore agast
His son Lord Admiral should be drown'd;760
Which at his parting promise plight,
To his father, if he were alive,
At Newcastle, with main and might,
His fleet in merry 'ray to 'rive.
Which promise he did fully keep, 765
Sir Neptune did such friendship shew ;
And safely then, him and his fleet,
In happy haven did bestow.
Then soldiers soon he set on land,
And to his father fast he hied, 770
With warlike wights, a worthy band,
Two thousand men, at least, well tried,
With captains courageous and keen :
At Alnwick they arrived at last ;
Whom, when the Earl his army had seen, 775
With sudden fear they were agast.
42 FLODDEN-FIELD.
For seeing their armour black as ink,
Some said it was a Scottish band,
And many did esteem and think,
They were some force from foreign land. 780
Some took their harness, some their horse,
And forward fast busied to fight;
But when they saw St George's cross,
And English arms borne up on hight :
Some said it was some jolly crew 785
The King had sent from France that tide;
The southern men the sooth soon knew,
And loud, " Lord Admiral," they cried.
Who, when the Earl of Surrey saw,
He thanked God with heart so mild, 790
And hands for joy to heaven did throw,
His son was saved from waters wild.
A merry meeting there was seen,
For first they kist and then embraced ;
For joy the tears fell from their e'en ; 795
All forepast fears were then defaced.
FLODDEN-FIELD. 43
Then caused the Earl each captain count
Under their wings what soldiers were ;
Which done, the number did but mount
To six-and-twenty thousand there. 800
The Earl then call'd a council soon
Of prudent lords and captains wise ;
And how the battle might be done,
He bade them shew their best device.
Some said, too small their number was 805
To atchieve so great an enterprize ;
Some counselled posts back for to pass ,
For aid, and cause the countries rise.
And from the south the Queen, some said,
A band of soldiers soon would send ; 810
And will'd to stay ; for whiles they staid,
Their powers daily might amend.
Some said, the Scots would flee strait way;
Their powers daily would diminish ;
Wherefore their counsel was to stay: 815
Thus the Earl Surrey did admonish.
44 FLODDEN-FIELD.
Up start the Admiral then in ire,
And stamping stood with stomach hot :
" Why, sir !" said he there to his sire,
u Hath cowardice lent you his coat ? 820
" Let ne'er King Henry hear for shame,
That you should play this dastard part ;
Let it ne'er be blown by trump of fame,
That you should bear a coward's heart.
n Hath not King Henry left you here, 825
His lieutenant to rule the land ;
Trusting that fiercely, without fear,
The scoulding Scots you would withstand ?
" Think on your father's valiance,
How fierce he fought at Bos worth-Field ; 830
Till time that he by Stanley's lance
With grievous wounds his life did yield !
u Would God," quoth he, " my brother Edward
Were here alive this present day !
No foes there could have made him fear'd 835
In camp here like a coward to stay.
FLODDEN-FIELD. 45
" What royal fame, what high renown,
Hath he left to his line and race ;
What ample glory would him crown,
If life had lasted longer space ! 840
* The sea he did both sweep and scoure ;
No pirate proud durst 'pear in sight ;
Not Pirate John, for all his power,
That great renowned Lothian knight.
* How oft the royal fleet of France 845
In cruel conflict by him was grieved ;
If he had 'scaped one fatal chance,
What worthy acts might have atchieved !
u No multitudes made him dismayed,
Nor numbers great his stomack 'swage ; 850
Great shame then would to us be laid,
And to our offspring in each age ;
u Your father's fame then should be 'filed,
His worthy facts should be forgot ;
The chief renown eke of your child, 855
Your beastish acts should clear out-blot :
4« FLODDEN-FIELD.
" If ye lie loit'ring here like loons,
And do not fight yon Scots again ;
For still we hear how English towns
Are sack'd, and sucking babes are slain. 860
" And daily they pilfer each place,
And spoil the people all about ;
Wherefore let's stay no longer space,
But now step forth with stomach stout."
FLODDEN-FIELD. 41
FIT THE FOURTH.
Then the Earl of Surrey again replied, 865
And to his son thus gan he say :
" No bashfulness doth make me bide,
Nor stomach faint doth make me stay :
e< The cause is, for no cowardice
So long time here we make delay ; 870
But that I fear this enterprise
Will prove no childish sport or play.
" Wise councils then must be embraced,
And let us careful think upon
Our cards, them both to count and cast, 875
For great's the bus'ness to be done.
<x Too hardy oft good hap doth hazard 5
And over bold oft is not best;
That prove I by my son sir Edward,
Who ever was too bold off Brest. 880
48 FLODDEN-FIELD.
a He had been man alive this day,
If he with counsel wise had wrought ;
But he was drown'd in Bartrumb's Bay,
This end his great boldness him brought.
" My father, at King Richard's field, 885
Under the Stanley's lance lav slain
And I a 'captive there did yield ;
Our manhood great got us this gain.
" We might have 'scaped that scurvy day,
If warning could our wits have bet : 890
A friend of ours, to cause us stay,
Upon my father's gate had set
u A certain scroll, whose scripture said ;
' Jack of Norfolk be not too bold,' —
And under that in verse was laid ; — 895
' Dicon, thy master, is bought and sold.5 —
" My father fighting fierce was slain,
King Richard 'reaved of life and crown ;
Such goodly guerdon oft they gain,
Who rashly run to get renown. 900
FLODDEN-FIELD. 4£
<c For see the Duke of York was brought
At Wakefield to his fatal fall,
Who might have 'scaped, if he had wrought
The counsel wise of David Hall.
" I read of conquerors and kings, (J 05
For lack of counsel cast away ;
Now since at hand such danger hings,
Our counsel we had need to say.
t( It is not I am fraught with fear ;
Nor for myself such thought I take; 910
But for young babes and infants dear,
Which fathers sore I fear will lack.
a Such fortune falls through fights doubtless ;
Poor widows plenty shall be left,
And many a servant masterless, Q\5
And mothers of their sons bereft.
" This is the cause I counsel crave,
This is the cause I cast such doubts ;
Fd rather one English soldier save,
Than for to kill a thousand Scots. 920
50 FLODDEN-FIELD.
" I can no kind of compass cast,
But many a life there must be lost ;
And many a tall man death must taste,
The Scots are such a mighty host.
" The Prince himself is there present, 925
With all his peers prepared for war ;
With barons, knights, and commons, bent,
A hundred thousand men they are.
" Put case our total English power
Were ready drest and made in meat ; 930
They at meals two would us devour;
The Scottish army is so great.
" Therefore let each man's mind be exprest,
How that these Scots we may convince ;
And how to pass this peril best, 935
And save the honour of our Prince ?" —
Then spake Sir Edward Stanley stout,
— Fierce on the Earl he fixt his e'en, —
€t What need have we thus for to doubt,
And be afraid of foes unseen ? 940
FLODDEN-FIELD, 51
* Shall we lye loit'ring in this manner,
And still permit the Scots to rest?
Fie ! let them see an English banner,
And our brave troops how seemly drest.
" What though our foes be five to one ; 945
For that let not our stomachs fail ;
God gives the stroke when all is done ;
If it please him, we shall prevail.
" If antient records we peruse,
Set forth by famous clerks of old ;
Which both of Christians> Pagans, Jews, 950
Plainly describe the battles bold,
" There may we certain see in fight,
Many a noble prince and king,
With populous armies put to flight, 955
And vanquished by a little wing.
" With hundreds three Judge Gideon
The Midean host o'ercame in fight ;
And Jonathan, Saul's son, alone
The fierce Philistians put to flight, 960
52 FLODDEN-FIELD.
" So Judas Machabeus, the man
Of foremost fame amongst all knights ;
Who can describe what fields he wan,
With handfuls small of warlike wights.
" The mighty Macedonian Prince, 965
With a small puissance and power,
King Darius' host did all convince,
Who for one was in number four.
" The great renowned Roman peers,
— Their glorious praise shall never blin, 970
Nor fame, that daily fills men's ears —
Through numbers great did never win.
" For Titus Livius doth protest,
The less their power, the more their gain ;
When they were most they wan the least ; 975
The greater press more people slain.
" Example : at Cannae's fierce conflict
So many nobles there were slain,
That bushels three there were collect
Of rings from dead-men's fingers drawn. 980
FLODDEN-FIELD. 53
" Where Scipio with numbers small
Of warlike wights of lusty blood.
In field to flight put Hannibal,
And burnt with fire Carthage proud.
" What farther need I for to seek 983
Of Christian kings, the manful acts?
Since yet the fame doth record reeke
Of Henry with his famous facts.
" All Europe yet afresh doth sound
Of his high prowess with report ; 990
What standards stout brought he to ground,
With numbers small at AgincourU
" All France yet trembleth to hear talk,
What nobles unto death were dight ;
Two thousand, besides vulgar folk, 995
Simplest of whom was 'squire or knight.
" He never stint from war and strife,
Till th' heir of France he was proclaimed ;
If fate had lent him longer life, 999
With English laws all France he had framed.
54 FLODDEN-FIELD.
" Of Bedford eke his brother John,
The Dauphin bet with a small band ;
Lord Talbot, with his name alone,
To tremble forced all the French land.
" The Earl of Richmond, with small power, 1005
Of England wan both realm and crown ;
At Bosworth, where the raging Boar,
With all his host, was overthrown.
" So though the Scottish host be great,
Let us not stint, but them withstand ; 1010
In battle bold we shall them beat,
For God will help us with his hand.
" If we in field be fighting slain,
And be in battle brought to ground ;
Unceasing praise then shall we gain, 1015
Men will our fame for aye out-sound.
" The mem'ry of our great manhood
'Mongst Englishmen for aye shall last ;
And then for vengeance of our blood,
King Henry home from France will hast. 1020
FLODDEN-FIELD. 55
u Our kinsfolk and our cousins free,
Will wreak our deaths with doleful dint ;
Till time that they revenged be,
From sturdy strokes they will not stint.
u Our ghosts shall go to God on high, 1025
Though bodies vile to death be dight ;
In better cause we cannot die,
Than fighting for our country's right.
" Put case the lot light contrary ;
—As firm my faith is fixt it shall — 1030
And we do gain the victory,
Good fortune then will us befall ;
iC And that we give our foes the foil,
What worthy praise then shall we win !
What mighty prey, what plenteous spoil, 1035
What prisoners of princely kin !
<s The Prince is there himself King James,
With prelates passing rich in pride :
Fifty great lords there are of fame, J 039
Great barons, knights, and 'squires beside ;
5f> FLODDEN-FIEU).
" Whose tents if standing they be found,
When fight is done, I do not fear,
But for ent'ring our English ground,
Their charges they shall pay full dear.
" Such fate shall them befal, I trust, 1045
As elders theirs have done before ;
Who into England seld did brust,
But they were brust in battle sore.
" Their mighty Mars, King Malchomy,
Did valiantly this land invade ; 1050
At Tinmoth he was forced to flee,
And slain was by an English blade.
" King David unto Durham came,
Who with the Scots in pitched field
For all their pride, yet lost the game ; 1055
King David there did captive yield.
" What shall I farther mention make
Of Henry the fourth, how in his days
The Earl of Murray and Lord Mordack,
Angus and Douglass prickt with praise, 1060
FLODDEN-FIELD. 57
" Did enter in Northumberland,
And murdered men without mercy ;
Were they not bet by a small band
In battle, by Sir Henry Percy ?
" The story saith, who list to look, 1065
Ten thousand Scots in field were slain ;
And through the valiant Percy's stroke,
Those Earls his captives did remain.
" Such luck I trust to our foes shall light,
And all that wars do raise in wrong ; 1070
Wherefore against them let us fight ;
What shame we loiter here so long !
" If any seem abased to be,
That we in battle shall be bet :
Cheshire and Lancashire with me, 1075
Shall give the Scots the first onset." —
When this was said, the Stanley stout,
All silent, down did sit in place :
The eyes of all the lords about,
Were fixt upon his valiant face. 1080
58 FLODDEN-FIELJD.
His wisdom great all wondered at,
And all his manful proffer praised ;
All they that would have lingered late,
Their courage keen was now upraised.
Now they that lately would have staid, 1085
With foremost cried forth to the field ;
With one voice the Earl they prayed,
That Stanley might the vanguard wield.
But on that side the Earl of Surrey 1090
Wext deaf, for why, he could not hear :
For stirred up now with Stanley's glory,
His rancour old he did uprear.
Quoth he, u The King's place I supply ;
At pleasure mine all things shall bide $"— -
Then on each captain he did cry, 1095
In presence to appear that tide.
That done, straitway he did ordain
His battle brief, on this same sort;
Whose order and array right plain
With pen I shall make true report. 1 100
FLODDEN-FIELD. 59
ITT THE FIFTH.
For when Stanley, with stomach stout,
Did valiantly the vanguard crave ;
The old Earl of Surrey sore did doubt,
That he too high honour should have,
If fortune good fell on his part, 1 105
And valiant victor did return :
—'Gainst Stanley's blood such hateful heart
In Surrey's breast did boiling burn.
Wherefore in foreward first of all,
Chief captain constituted he 1 1 10
His loving son Lord Admiral,
With soldiers such as came from sea.
Whom doughty lords associated
With barons bold and hardy knights ;
Lord Ogle, who, as then, did lead 1115
A lordly band of warlike wights.
60 FLODDEN-FIELD.
In order next the Admiral,
The lusty knight, Lord Clifford went,
Who had been shroud in shepherd's earn,
While twice twelve years were gone and spent.
For when his father at Wakefield 1121
The Duke of York his son had slain,
By friends in this wise was concealed,
Till th' Earl of Richmond 'gan his reign ;
Who him restored to all his right, 1125
And seated him in his sire's land ;
Or else to death he had been dight,
While the house of York had the up-hand.
Now, like a captain bold, he brought
A band of lusty lads elect ; 1 ISO
Whose curious coats, cunningly wrought,
With dreadful dragons were bedeckt.
From Penigent to PencUe-hill,
From Linton to Longadingham ;
And all that Craven coasts did till, 1135
They with the lusty Clifford came.
FLODDEN-FIELD. 61
All StainclifTe hundred went with him,
With striplings strong from Whorledale ;
And all that Hauton-hills did climb,
With Langstroth eke and Litton Dale, 1140
Whose milk-fed fellows fleshly bred,
Well bound, with sounding bows upbend ;
All such as Horton fells had fed,
On Clifford's banner did attend.
Next whom Lord Lomly and Latimer, 1145
Were equal matcht with all their power ;
With whom was next their neighbours near,
Lord Coniers stout and stiff in stoure,
With many a gentleman and 'squire,
From Rippon, Ripley, and Ryedale; 1150
With them marcht forth all Massamshire,
With Noisterfield and Netherdale ;
With till-men taught in harness store,
Which turned the furrows of Mitton-field ;
With bill-men bold from Blackamore, 1155
Most warlike wights these lords did wield.
62 FLODDEN-FIELI).
Next whom was placed with all his power
Lord Scroop of Upsall, th' aged knight ;
Sir Stephen Bull, so stiff in stour, 1 160
Was match'd next him with all his might.
Sir Walter Aufith, sage and grave,
Was with Sir Henry Sherburn bent,
And under Bulmer's banner brave,
The whole bishopric of Durham went.
Whom ensued Sir Christopher Ward, 1165
With him Sir Edward Effingham ;
Next went Sir Nicholas Appleyard,
Sir Metham, Sidney, Averingham.
All these in foremost battle bold,
These valiant wights in vanguard were ; 1170
Seven thousand men, number'd and told,
Simplest of whom bare bow or spear.
Then the Earl Sir Edmond Howard
'Gan call, whom marshall soon he made ;
* My son," said he, " now soon set forth, 1175
With valiant heart the Scots invade.
PLODDEN-FIELD. 03
« Chief captain of the right-hand wing
To brother thine I thee ordain ;
Full surely see thou serve the king,
Employ thy power, let for no pain. 1180
" Of southern soldiers hundreds two,
Under thy wing shall wend with thee ;" —
A thousand thanks Sir Edmund though,
Did render to his father free.
With him was matcht as equal mate, 1 185
Bryan Tunstal, a trusty 'squire ;
Whose stomach stout nought could abate,
Nor ought could swage his bold desire.
The glory of his grandsire old,
The famous acts eke of his sire, 1190
His blood untainted made him bold,
And stirr'd his stomach hot as fire.
For when debate did first begin,
And rancour raised most rueful work,
And ruffling ruled this realm within 1 195
'Twixt Lancaster and th' house of York ;
64 FLODDEN-FIELD.
During which hurly-burly and strife,
Were murthered many a mother's child ;
And many a lord bereaved of life,
And noble house with blood defiled ; 1200
But this man's father, void of fear,
While in this realm such ruffling was ;
To Henry the Sixth did still adhere,
And for no pains would from him pass.
For he to York would never yield, 1205
For all the struggling stir and strife ;
Nine times he fiercely fought in field,
So oft in danger was his life.
And when the King was captive caught,
And the Earl of Warwick overthrown, 1210
To save his life best means he sought,
And was in bark to Britain blown,
And with th' Earl of Richmond remained,
And lords of the Lancastrian kin ; 1214
When th' Earl at length the garland gained,
And did fair England's empire win ;
FLODDEN-FIELD. 65
He rendered Tunstal to his right,
And knowing his pure blood unblamed,
He eke did cause this trusty knight,
Undefiled Tunstal to be named. 1220
Most fierce he fought at Thallian Field,
Where Martin Swart on ground lay slain ;
Where rage did reign he never reel'd,
But like a rock did still remain.
Now came this man, amongst the rest, 129,5
To match his father in manhood :
For battle ready bent and prest,
With him a band of lusty blood.
Next went Sir Bold and Butler brave,
Two lusty knights of Lancashire ; 1230
Then Barkerton bold, and Bygod grave,
With Warcop wild, a worthy 'squire.
Next Richard Chomley and Chiston stout,
With men of Hadfield and of Hull ;
Lawrence of Dun with all his rout, 1235
The people fresh with them did pull.
E
66 FLODDEN-FIELD.
John Clartice then was 'nexed near,
With Stapylton of stomach stern ;
Next whom Fitzwilliam forth did fare,
Who martial feats was not to learn. 1240
These captains keen, with all their might,
In right-hand wing did warlike wend ;
All these, on Edmond Howard, knight,
The Earl his sire ordained t'attend.
Then next the left-hand wing did wield 1245
Sir Marmaduke Constable old ;
With him a troop well tried in field,
And eke his sons and kinsfolk bold.
Next him Sir William Percy proud, 1250
Went with the great Earl Percy's power ;
From Lancashire of lusty blood,
A thousand soldiers, stiff in stowre.
The Earl himself can undertake
Of the rearward the regiment ;
Whom barons bold did bravely back, 1255
And southern soldiers, seemly bent.
3
FLODDEN-FIELD. 6?
Next whom in place was 'nexed near,
Lord Scroop of Bolton stern and stout ;
On horseback who had not his peer ; 1260
No Englishman, Scots more did doubt.
With him did wend all Wensadale,
From Morton unto Moisdale-Moor ;
All they that dwelt by the banks of Swale,
With him were bent in harness stour.
From Weresdale warlike wights did wend, 1265
From BishopVdale went bowmen bold ;
From Coverdale to Cotter-end,
And all to Kidston causeway cold.
From Mollerstang and Midleham,
And all from Mask and Midleconby ; 1270
And all that climb the mountain Cam,
Whose crown from frost is seldom free.
With lusty lads, and large of length,
Which dwelt at Seimerwater side ;
All Richmondshire, its total strength 1275
The lusty Scroop did lead and guide.
68 JTLODDEN-FIELD.
Next went Sir Philip Tilney tall,
With him Sir Thomas Barkley brave,
Sir John Radcliffe in arms royal,
With Sir William Gascoin grave. 1280
Next whom did pass with all his rout
Sir Christopher Pickering proud,
With Sir Bryan Stapylton stout ;
Two valiant knights of noble blood.
Next with Sir John Stanley there yede 1285
The Bishop of Ely's servants bold ;
Sir Lionel Percy eke did lead
Some hundred men well tried and told.
Next went Sir Mimham Markinfil
In armour coat of cunning work ; 1290
The next went Sir John Maundevill,
With him the citizens of York.
Sir George Darcy in banner bright,
Did bear a bloody broken spear;
Next went Sir Magnus with his might, 1295
And Chestane bold of lusty chear.
FLODDEN-FIELD. 6D
Sir Guy Dawnie with his glorious rout,
Then Mr Dawbie's servants bold,
Then Richard Tempest with his rout
In rereward thus their 'ray did hold. 1300
The right-hand wing with all his rout,
The lusty Lord Dacres did lead ;
With him the bows of Kendal stout,
With milk-white coats and crosses red.
All Keswick eke and Cockermouth, 1305
And all from Copeland's craggy hills ;
All Westmoreland, both north and south,
Whose weapons were great weighty bills.
All Carlisle eke and Cumberland,
They with the Dacres proud did pass; 1310
From Branton, and from Broughly sands,
From Graystone, and from Ravens-Glass.
With striplings strong from Stainmoor side,
And Austin-Moor-men marched even,
All those that Gilsland grave did hide, 1315
With horsemen light from Hesham-Leven.
70 FLODDEN-FIELD.
All these did march in Dacres' band,
All these ensued his banner broad ;
No lustier lord was in the land,
Nor more might boast of birth and blood. 1 320
Many houses strong and huge of height,
Were all his own to give or sell ;
Fair baronies for his birthright,
For heritage to him befell.
These royal lords thus 'ray did hold, 1325
With ranges, ranks, and warlike wings ;
But yet the man is left untold,
On whom the matter wholly hings ;
Whose worthy praise and prowess great,
Whose glorious fame shall never blin ; 1330
Nor Neptune never shall forget
What land he hath left to his kin.
Sir Edward Stanley stiff in stour,
He is the man of whom I mean ;
With him did pass a mighty power, 1335
Of soldiers seemly to be seen.
FLODDEN-FIELD. »T1
Most liver lads in Lonsdale bred,
With weapons of unwieldy weight;
All such as Tathani-Fells had fed,
Went under Stanley's streamer bright. 1340
From Bolland billmen bold were boun,
With such as Botton-Banks did hide ;
From Wharemore up to Whitington,
And all to Wenning Water side.
From Silverdale to Kent-Sand side, 1345
Whose soil is sown with cockle-shells ;
From Cartmel eke and Conny-side
With fellows fierce from Furney's fells.
All Lancashire for the most part,
The lusty Stanley stout did lead ; 1350
A stock of striplings, strong of heart,
Brought up from babes with beef and bread.
From Warton unto Warrington,
From Wigan unto Wiresdale,
From Wedicar to Waddington, 1355
From old Ribchester to Ratchdale,
T2 FLODDEN-FIELD.
From Poulton and Preston with pikes,
They with the Stanley stout forth went ;
From Pemberton and Pilling Dikes,
For battle billmen bold were bent. 1360
With fellows fresh and fierce in fight,
Which Horton Fields turn'd out in scores ;
With lusty lads, liver and light,
From Blackburn and Bolton i'th Moors.
With children chosen from Cheshire, 1365
In armour bold for battle drest ;
And many a gentleman and 'squire
Were under Stanley's streamer prest.
Thus Stanley stout, the last of all,
Of the rereward the rule did wield ; 1370
Which done, to Bolton in Glendale,
The total army took the field.
Where all the council did consent,
That Rougecross to the Scottish King
Strait with instructions should be sent, 1375
To know his Majesty's meaning.
FLODDEN-FIELD. 73
FIT THE SIXTH.
And whereas the castle of Ford
He threatneth for to overthrow ;
Rougecross was charged word for word.,
The Earl's intention to let him know : 1380
That if his Grace would so agree
To suffer that same fort to stand,
And William Heron send home free,
Who then was captive in Scotland ;
Whereto if the King would condescend, 1385
. The Earl promised to restore,
And to the King straightway to send
Of his countrymen captives four,
Lord Johnston and Sir Sandy Hume,
Sir Richard Hume and William Carr — 13Q0
And where the King did sore presume
In wrongful sort to stir up war
74 FLODDEN-FIELD.
Against King Henry his brother-in-law,
And commons cruelly did kill ;
His piles and forts did fierce down throw, 139#
And English blood spared not to spill :
The Earl did charge the herald straight
To certify the said Scotch King,
That he in field with him would fight,
On Friday then next following. 1400
And yet ere Rougecross forth did fare,
Lord Admiral took him aside,
And bade him to the King declare
His coming and access that tide :
That he from sea descended was, 1405
With all his total power and might ;
And that in forward with his Grace
He should him find fit for to fight;
And when the Scots on him did call
At days of March to make redress 1410
Eor Andrew Barton their Admiral,
Whom he with bloody blade did bless ;
FLODDEN-FIELD. 75
Now he was come in person prest,
The said Sir Andrew's death to vouch ;
And if it in his power doth rest, 1415
Quoth he, " I shall serve him with such.
€€ For there shall no Scot 'scape unslain,
(The King in person sole except)
For so of th' Scots/' quoth he, again,
" No other mercy I expect." — 1420
And yet ere Rougecross went his way,
The Earl and council did expect
That the Scotch King, without delay,
An herald would again direct.
Wherefore Rougecross commanded there, 1425
No Scotchman near the field to bring ;
Lest he their conduct might declare,
And thereby dangers great might spring.
Then Rougecross ready took his horse,
Bedeckt in coat of arms most brave ; 1430
With him did wend a trumpet hoarse,
That Scots their coming might perceive.
76 FLODDEN-tflELD.
Their geldings were both good and light,
From galloping they seldom staid ;
Till at the length they viewed in sight 1435
Whereas their enemy's army laid.
The Scots' watch them anon descried.,
And them conveyed before the King ;
Where he with barons bold did bide : 1439
Whom Rougecross did on knees kneeling,
With seemly salutation greet ;
And after, his instructions straight
Each one exprest in order meet ;
And letters 'livered there in sight : 1444
Whom, when the King of Scots had heard,
And eke had viewed his letters large ;
E'en frantic-like he fuming fared,
And, bombard-like, did boasts discharge.
" If true," quoth he, " let be exprest
Thou herald sent, anon recite ; 1450
And was your Earl so bold of breast,
Thus proudly to a Prince to write ?
FLODDEN-FIELD. 77
" But since he seems to be so rough,
I swear," quoth he, " bj sceptre and crown,
In faith, he shall have fighting enough, 1455
On Friday before sun go down.
u For here to God I promise plight,
We never pass will from this hill
Till we have tried your Earl's whole might,
And given their folkes fighting their fill.
" Because he vexed our land of late, 1461
Perchance his stomach is extolled ;
But now we will withstand his Grace,
Or thousand pates shall there be polled." —
To presence then he called his peers, 1465
To whom he read the Earl his bill ;
And audience given with ireful ears;
Some said, " It came of little skill
<( An Earl of so simple a shire
To 'nointed king such words to write !" — 1470
Some bade the schedule cast in fire ; —
Some for to speak did spare for spight ;
78 FLODDEN-FIELD.
Some said the herald of's own head
Such talk extempore did express ;
And counsel'd with all possible speed 1473
An herald hastily to address ;
To know of the Earl of Surrey plain,
If he such message did procure ;
And till the time he turned again
The English herald to make sure. 1480
Whereto the King did soon consent,
And Rougecross sure in safety kept,
And home with English trumpet sent
An herald, by name Hay yclept :
Who was commanded for to know 1485
Of the Earl and his council sage,
If Rougecross truth to him did shew ;
Or, if he had sent such message ;
And if he tidings true had brought,
And to his Grace avouched no lie ; 1490
The King in mind anon forethought
How he the Earl might certify:
FLODDEN-FIELD. ?«J
Wherefore he Hay instructed strait
With letters large and loquintue ; 1494
Which done, they soon set forth the night,
And towards the English camp they drew.
But at a little village poor
Hay did light, and took lodging ;
For the army was two miles or more, 1499
Whiles the trumpet shews of his coming.
The night was even at midst well near,
And the English lords lying on grass ;
Till time the trumpet did appear,
And told Earl Surrey all the case :
How that the Scots they did detain 1505
Rougecross, and credit would him not;
And for to know the truth more plain,
The King himself had sent a Scot ;
Which he constrained for to stay,
And lodged then in a little village j 1510
Lest he their order might display,
Which might turn to the Scots' advantage.
60 FLODDEN-FIELD.
Which when the Earl understood,
He viewed the Scotchmen's dealings all;
And in a sound and sober mood 1515
He strait did on his council call,
Where he in presence did report
The total tale the trumpet told :
The council mused, with marvel great,
Why Scots their herald did withhold : 1520
Not any cause could they conject,
But all surmises were deferred ;
And sage advice was clean defect,
Till they the Scottish herald heard.
Wherefore as soon as Phoebus fair 1525
Dame Luna's light and stars did stain,
And burning in the fiery chair,
His startling steeds hail'd forth amain ;
The Earl and his council sage
To horseback then they hied around ; 1530
And every man did bring his page
To hold their horses in that stound.
FLODDEN-FIELD. 81
But when they stept within the street,
The Scot was scarce from cabbage got
Where he the English lords did greet 1535
With little court'sie like a Scot.
Which done, the Earl did command
His message he should manifest :
Then Hay hastily out of hand
His chiefest charge anon exprest. 1540
€t My soverain Lord/' quoth he, u King James,
Would of your honour gladly hear,
If Rougecross was charged in your name
Such bold word to his Grace to bear.
u My master doth mistrust his words 1545
With leasing to be understood ;
Likewise do all our peerless lords :" —
Then soon he told what Rougecross said.
/
Quoth th' Earl, a What doth thy master mean,
Of herald ours to make such dread ? 1550
His message for to forge or feign
Of leasing we do stand no need.
82 FLODDEN-FIELD.
« Our herald's words we'll justify,
For verity be did reveal ;
His writings eke the same will try 1555
Which of our arms do bear the seal.
" Wherefore I of thy master muse,
Our herald why he handleth so ;
And 'gainst all reason doth refuse
Our message to make answer to." — 1560
Then Hay again to him replied, —
<c I say, quoth he, so said my lord ;
And to your message at this tide
I shall make answer word for word.
« And for Ford Castle, first of all, 1565
Which to preserve ye did make suit ;
To save the same from fire and fall
My master thereto biddeth mute.
a And for the owner of the fort,
Who William Heron hath to name ; 1570
My master says, to shew you short,
He will not answer to the samp.
FLODDEN-FIELD. S3
f* For Johnston and Sir Sandy Hume,
Richard Hume and William Carr,
Our Prince himself in person's come 1575
Them to redeem by dint of war,
a If ye your message dare make good,
On Friday next in field to fight;
My master with a manful mood
To mighty Jove hath promised plight, 1580
" For to abide the battle bold,
And give your folks fighting their fill :
And that your Lordship shew I should
So grateful be his Grace until,
c< As any Earl all England thorough; 1585
For if he had such message sent,
He being at home at Edinborough,
Would gladly have answer'd your intent.
" Now if with dint of sword ye dare
Abide his Grace in battle bold, 1590
On Friday next, he craves no far.
My message whole now I have told."—*
U PLODDEN-FIELD.
A thousand thanks the Earl there
Unto the Royal King did yield,
Whose princely heart did not forbear, 159$
So simple a lord to meet in field.
And then a valiant vow he plight,
That he the battle bold would bide,
And on prefixed day to fight;
Which done, he did command that tide, 1600
The Scottish herald, Hay clept,
A season there he should sojourn,
And in safe custody be kept,
Till time that Rougecross did returns.
When as the Earl Hay heard, 1605
Straight to the King his servant sent,
Who to the King all things declared,
With the Earl's answer and intent.
The King then Rougecross did discharge,
Who hied home to th' Earl in hast ; 1610
Then Hay was let go at large
When Rougecross came, who was kept fast.
FLODDEN-FIELI). fcg
Then Rougecross did make true report,
To th' Earl and captains in like case,
As he had seen, and in what sort, 1615
The Scottish King encamped was :
Even on the height of Flodden-Hill,
Where down below his ordnance lay,
So strong that no man's study or skill,
To fight with him. could find a way. 1G2Q
Such mountains steep, such craggy hills,
His army on th' one side inclose ;
The other side great grizly gills
Did fence with fenny mire and moss.
Which, when the Earl understood, 1625
He council craved of his captains ali,
Who bade set forth with manful mood,
And take such fortune as would fall*
FLODDEN-FIELD.
FIT THE SEVENTH.
Whereto the Earl did soon consent,
And quickly called for a guide, 1630
Lest by the way he harm might hent.
But hark what happened that tide :
When th' army pressed was to proceed,
All 'rayed in ranks, ready to fight,
Came scow ring all in scarlet red, 1635
With lusty lance, a horseman light.
His face with vailed vizard hid,
Thus plainly have I heard report ;
Who radly by the ranks did ride,
And straight to the Earl did resort. 1640
All th' army marvel'd at this man,
To see him ride in such array ;
But what he was, or whence he came,
No wight there was could certain say.
FLODDEN-FIELD. SI
When he the Earl of Surrey saw, 1645
From saddle light he leaped there,
And down on knees did lout full low,
Holding in hand his horse and spear.
And on this sort he silence brake, 1649
" My Lord," quoth he, " Grant me some grace,
Pardon my life for pitty sake,
You have the Prince's power and place !
" Grant at your hand I grace may have ;
Freely forgive me mine offence,
Perchance ye shortly shall perceive 1655
Your kindness I may recompence." —
Quoth the Earl, " Then note us thy name,
Belike thou'st done some heinous deed ;
Thou dare not shew thy face for shame,
What is thy fact, declare with speed? 1660
" If thou hast wrought some treason, tell,
Or English blood by murther spilt ;
Or thou hast been some rude rebel,
Else we will pardon thee thy guilt.w—
8* FLODDEN-FIELD.
Then he to the Earl did reply, 1665
And say, u My Lord, for offence such,
The total world I do defie ;
With treason me no man can touch !
" I grant indeed I wrong have wrought,
Yet disobedience was the worst; 1670
Else I am clear from deed or thought,
And extremes thereto me have forced.
u And as for murthering Englishmen,
I never hurt man, maid, or wife :
Howbeit, Scots some nine or ten 1675
At least I have bereaved of life :
" Else I in time of wealth or want,
Still to my King persisted true ;
Wherefore, good Lord, my life do grant,
My name then shortly I shall shew." — 1680
Quoth th' Earl, u Then pluck up thy heart,
Thou seems to be no person prave ;
Stand up at once, lay dread apart, .
Thy pardon free here thou shalt have.
FLODDEN-FIELD. &J
" Thou seems to be a man indeed, 1685
And of thy hands hardy and wight ;
Of such a man we shall stand need
Perchance on Friday next at night." —
Then on his feet he starts up straight,
And thanked the Earl at that tide ; 1690
Then on his horse he leaped light,
Saying, <e My Lord, ye lack a guide,
<c But I shall you conduct full straight
To where the Scots encamped are :
I know of old the Scottish sleight, 16Q5
And crafty stratagems of war.
" Therefore experience hath me taught ;
Now I shall shew you who I am :
On Borders here I was up brought,
And Bastard Hearon is my name." — 1700
« What!" quoth the Earl, " Bastard Hearon X
He died at least now two year since,
Betwixt Newark and Northampton,
He perisht through the pestilence.
90 FLODDEN-FIELD.
Ci Our king to death had deein'd the man, 1705
'Cause he the Scottish warden slew,
And on our Borders first began
These raging wars for to renew.
<e But God his purpose did prevent,
He died of the plague to prove ; 1710
King Henry his death did since lament ;
He wondrous well the man did love.
" Would God ! thy tale were true this tide ;
Thou Bastard Hearon might be found,
Thou in this gate should be our guide, 1715
I wot right well thou knows the ground."—
a I am the same/' said he again,
And therewith did unfold his face ;
Each person then perceived plain ;
That done, he opened all the case. 1720
Quoth he, " When I the Scot's warden
Had with my blade bereaved of breath,
I wist well I should get no pardon,
But sure I was to suffer death.
FLODDEN-FIELD. 91
" In haste King Henry for me sent, 179,5
To whom I durst not disobey;
So towards London straight I went,
But hark what wile I wrought by th' way.
e< I nought but truth to you shall note :
That time in many a town and borough, 1 7S0
The pestilence was raging hot,
And raging reigned all England thorough.
" So coming to a certain town,
I said I was infected sore,
And in a lodge they laid me down,
Where company I had no more, 1735
" But my own secret servants three ;
For townsmen 'fraid for fear did watch ;
So in that stead no more staid I,
But homeward by the dark dispatch. 1740
" My servants secretly that night,
Did frame a corpse in cunning sort ;
And on the morrow, as it was light,
My death did ruefully report ;
02 FLODDEN-FIELD.
4< And so my servants, soon that morn, 1745
The corpse to bury made them bown,
Crying alas ! like men forlorn,
And seem'd for sorrow to fall down.
• The corpse they cunningly conveyed,
And caused the bells aloud be rung, 1750
And money to the priest they paid,
And service for my soul was sung.
a Which done, they tidings straight did bring
Unto King Henry, I was dead ;
Christ have his soul, then said the King, 1755
For sure he should have lost his head.
u If he up to the court had come,
I promised had so, by Saint Paul ;
But since God did prevent our doom,
Almighty Christ forgive his soul. 1760
" To mansion mine I came at last,
By journeys nimbly all by night ;
And now two years or more are past,
Since I aptly appeared in sight.
1TLODDEN-FIELD. 93
" No wight did weet but I was dead, 1765
Save my three servants and my wife ;
Now I am start up in this stead,
And come again from death to life." —
Which said, the lords and captains sam,
From laughing loud could not abstain, 1770
To hear his gande they had good gam,
And of his welfare all were fain ;
Whose policy they had perceived,
And often times his truth had tried ; •
Which was the cause so sore they craved 1775
This Hearon brave to be their guide.
Then forth before he fiercely flew,
The Borderers bold to him they draw,
The total army did ensue,
And came that night to Wooler-Haugh. 1780
■
There th' English lords did lodge their host ;
Because the place was plain and dry,
And was within six miles at most,
Whereas their enemy's host did lie.
94 FLODDEN-FIELD.
The morrow next they all removed, 1785
Though weather was both foul and ill ;
Along down by a pleasant flood,
Which called is the Water of Till.
And all that day they viewed in sight,
Whereas the Scots for battle bode ; 1 790
Because the day was spent, that night
The army lodged at Barmoor wood.
Then valiantly with the vanguard,
The morrow next with mature skill,
The Admiral did march forward, 1795
And passed o'er the water of Till.
At Twizlebridge with ordenance,
And other engines fit for war,
His father forth did eke advance,
And at Millfield, from thence not far, 1800
With the rear-ward the river past,
Ail ready in ranks and battle-array :
They had no need more time to wast,
Jor victuals they had none that day ;
FLODDEN-FIELD. 95
But black fasting as they were born, 1805
From flesh, or fish, or other food ;
Drink had they none two days before,
But water wan irl running flood.
Yet they such stedful faiths did bear,
Unto their king and native land, 1810
Each one to th' t'other then did swear
'Gainst foes to fight whilst they could stand,
And never flee while life did last,
But rather die by dint of sword.
Thus over plains and hills they passed, 1815
Until they came to Sandiford,
A brook of breadth a taylor's yard,
Where th* Earl of Surrey thus did say :
" Good fellow-soldiers, be not feared,
But fight it out like men this day. 1820
" Like Englishmen now play your parts,
Bestow your strokes with stomach bold,
Ye know the Scottish coward hearts,
And how we scourged them of old. 1824
06 FLODDEN-FIELD.
" Strike but three strokes with stomach stout,
And shoot each man sharp arrows three,
And you shall see without all doubt
The scoulding Scots begirt to flee.
" Think on your country's common wealth,
In what estate the same shall stand, 1830
To Englishmen no hope of health,
If Scots do get the upper hand.
u If we should not them boldly abide,
But beast-like backs of them should turn,
All England north from Trent to Tweed, 1835
The haughty Scots would harry and burn.
" Your faithful wives, your daughters pure,
They would not stick for to defile ;
Of life none should be safe or sure,
But murlhered be by villains vile. 1840
* But if ye'll fight like soldiers fierce,
So that by force we win the field,
My tongue cannot tell and rehearse
What plenteous soil we then shall wield*
FLODDEN-FIELD. 9J
" Besides all that, perpetual praise 1345
Throughout all ages we shall gain ;
And quietly drive forth our days,
And in perduring peace remain."—
All sam the soldiers then replied,
And there to the Earl promised plight, 1850
There on that bent boldly to bide,
And never flee, but fiercely fight.
Then marched forth the men of war,
And every band their banner shewed,
And trumpets hoarse were heard afar, 1 855
And glistering harness shining viewed.
Thus they past forth upon the plain,
And straight forth by a valley low,
Where up above on the mountain,
The Scottish army in sight they saw : I860
Whom they did leave on the left hand,
And pass forth on the sunny side ;
Till 'twixt the Scots and Scottish land
They were conducted by their guide.
98 FLODDEN-FIELD.
Now all this while the King of Scots 1865
Beheld them fair before his e'en ;
Within his mind drove many doubts,
Musing what the Englishmen did mean.
Giles Musgrave was a guileful Greek,
And friend familiar with the King; 1870
Who said, " Sir King, if you do seek
To know the Englishmen's meaning :
" Ye better notice none can have,
Than that which I to you shall tell ;
What they forecast I full conceive, 1875
I know their purpose passing well.
" Your marshes they mean for to sack,
And borders yours to harry and burn,
Wherefore it's best that we go back,
From such intent them for to turn." — 1 880
This Musgrave was a man of skill,
And spake this for a policy,
To cause the King come down the hill,
That so the battle tried might be.
FLODDEN-FIELD. 93
The King gave credit to his words, 1885
Trusting his talk was void of traine,
He with consent of all his lords,
Did march with speed down to the plain.
By north there was another hill,
Which Branxton-hill is called by name ; 1890
The Scots anon did scoure there till,
Lest the Englishmen should get the same.
The litter which they left behind,
And other filth, on fire they set ;
Whose dusty smoke the wrastling wind 1895
Even straight between the armies bet.
Still on the height the Scots them held;
The Englishmen march on below,
The smothering smoke the light so feald,
That neither army other saw. 1900
At length the weather waxed clear,
And smoke consumed within a while ;
Now both the hosts in distance were
Not past a quarter of a mile.
100 FLODDEN-F1ELD.
Then the Admiral did plain aspect, ig05
The Scots arrayed in battles four;
The man was sage and circumspect,
And soon perceived, that his power
So great a strength would not gainstand ;
Wherefore he to his father sent, 1QI0
Desiring him straight out of hand,
With the rear-ward ready to be bent,
And join with him in equal ground ;
Whereto the Earl agreed anon : 1914
Then drums struck up with dreadful sound,
And trumpets blew with doleful tone.
Then sounding bows were soon up bent,
Some did their arrows sharp up take,
Some did in hand their halberts hent,
Some rusty bills did ruffling shake. 1920
FLODDEN-FIELD. lttl
FIT THE EIGHTH.
Then ordinance great anon out brast,
On either side with thundering thumps ;
And roaring guns with fire fast
Then levelled out great leaden lumps.
With rumbling rage thus Vulcan's art 19 -5
Began this field and fearful fight ;
But the arch-gunner on the English part,
The master Scot did mark so right,
That he with bullet brast his brain,
And hurPd his heels his head above : 1930
Then piped he such a peel again, ,
The Scots he from their ordinance drove.
So by the Scots artillery,
The Englishmen no harm did hent ;
But the English gunner grievously VJ35
Them tennis-balls he sousing sent,
102 FLODDEN-FIELD.
Into the midst of enemy's ranks,
Where they with ragious claps down rushed:
Some shouting laid with broken shanks,
Some crying laid with members crushed. 1940
Thus the Englishmen with bumbards shot,
Their foes on heaps down thick they threw,
But yet the Scots, with stomach stout,
Their broken ranks did still renew.
And when the roaring guns did cease, 1945
To handy strokes they hied apace,
And with their total power prease,
To join with enemy face to face.
The Englishmen their feathered flights
Sent out anon from sounding bow, 1950
Which wounded many warlike wights,
And many a groom to ground did throw.
The grey goose wing did work such grief,
And did the Scots so scour and skail ;
For in their battle, to be brief, 1955
They rattling flew as rank as hail :
FLODDEN-FIELD. 103
That many a soldier on the soil
Lay dead that day through dint of darts ;
The arrows keen kept such a coil,
And wounded many wight men's hearts, I960
And pierced the scalp of many a Scot,
So that on ground they groaning fell :
Some had his shoulder quite through shot,
Some leaving life did loudly yell.
Some from his leg the lance did pull, 1965
Some through his stomach store was stickt,
Some bleeding bellowed like a bull,
Some were through privy members prickt.
But yet the Scots still stout did stand,
Till arrows shot at length was done, 1970
And plied apace to strokes of hand,
And at the last did battle join.
Then on the English part with speed,
The bills stept forth, and bows went back,
The moorish pikes, and mells of lead, 1975
Did deal there many a dreadful thwack.
104 FLODDEN-FIELD.
The Englishmen straight east and west
And southward did their faces set ;
The Scotchmen northward proudly prest,
And manfully their foes they met. 1980
First westward of a wing there was,
Sir Edmond Howard captain chief;
With whom did pass in equal mace,
Sir Bryan Tunstal, to be brief.
With whom encountered a strong Scot, 1985
WThich was the King's chief chamberlain ;
Lord Hume by name, of courage hot,
Who manfully marched them again.
Ten thousand Scots well tried and told,
Under his standart stout he led ; 1990
When the Englishmen did them behold,
For fear at first they would have fled,
Had not the valiant Tunstal been,
Who still stept on with stomach stout,
Crying, — " Come on, good countrymen, 199$
Now fiercely let us fight it out!
FLODDEN-FIELD. 105
€€ Let not the number of our foes,
Your manfuj hearts 'minish, or shake ;
Let it never be laid unto our nose,
That Scotchmen made us turn our back ! 2080
u Like doughty lads let's rather die,
And from our blood take all rebuke ;
With edged tools now let us try." —
Then from the ground he mould up took,
And did the same in mouth receive, 2085
In token of his Maker dear ;
Which, when his people did perceive,
His valiant heart renewed their chear.
Then first before in foremost ray,
The trusty Tunstal bold forth sprung, 2010
His stomach could no longer stay,
But thundering thrust into the throng.
And as true men did make report,
In present place which did on look ;
He was the first, for to be short, 2015
On the English part that profer'd stroke.
106 FLODDEN-FIELD.
All those that he with halbert caught,
He made to stacker in that stound,
And many a groom to ground he brought,
And dealt there many a deadly wound, 2020
And forward 'gainst foes still he flew,
And threshing turned them all to teen ;
Where he a noble Scotchmen slew,
Which called was Sir Malkin Keen.
And still his foes pursued fast, 2025
And weapon in Scotch blood he warmed,
And slaughtering lashed ; till at last
The Scots so thick about him swarmed,
That he from succour severed was, 2030
And from his men which Scots had skail'd:
Yet for all that he kept his place,
He fiercely fought, and never failed ;
Till with an edged sword one came,
And at his legs below did lash,
And near a score of Scots all sam, 2035
Upon his helmet high did dash :
FLODDEN-FIELD. 107
Though he could not withstand such strength,
Yet never would he flee, nor yield ;
Alas ! for want of aid, at length,
He slain was fighting fierce in field. 2040
Down falls this valiant active knight,
His body great on ground doth lie ;
But up to heaven with angels bright,
His golden ghost did flickering flie.
After his fall his people fled, 2045
And all that wing did fall to wrack ;
Some fighting fierce died in that stead,
The rest for terror turn'd their back ;
Save Sir Edmond Howard all alone,
Who with his standard bearer yet, 2050
Seeing his folks all fled and gone,
In haste to vanguard hied to get.
But he Scot free had not so 'scaped ;
For why right hot Sir David Hume,
With troop of Scots, had him entrapt ; 2055
Had not John Bastard Hearon come,
108 FLODDEtt-JlELD.
With half a score of horsemen light,
Crying, — <e Now, Howard, have good heart !
For unto death till we be dight,
I promise here to take thy part." — 2060
Which heard, then Howard heart up drew,
And with the spearmen forth he sprung,
And fiercely 'mong their foes he flew,
Where David Hume down dead lay flung.
And many a Scot that stout did stand 2065
With dreadful death they did reward.
So Howard through bold Hearon's hand,
Came safe and sound to the vanguard ;
Where the Admiral, with strength extent,
Then in the field fierce fighting was, 2070
'Gainst whom in battle bold was bent
Two earls of an antique race :
The one Craufford call'd, the other Montross,
Who led twelve thousand Scotchmen strong ;
Who manfully met with their foes, 2075
With leaden mells, and lances long.
FLODDEN FIELD. 100
There battering blows made sallet sound,
There many a sturdy stroke was given,
And many a baron brought to ground,
And many a banner broad was riven. 2080
But yet in fine, through mighty force,
The Admiral quit himself so well,
And wrought so that the Scots had worst,
For down in field both Earls fell.
Then the Earl of Surrey next by east, 2085
Most fiercely 'gainst his enemies fought ;
'Gainst whom King James in person prest,
With banners blaised, his battle brought.
Wherein was many a baron bold,
And many a lord of lusty blood, 2090
And trusty knight well tried of old,
And rnitred prelates passing proud.
With the Earl of Catness and Castell,
The Earl of Moarton and of Marr ;
With Arell, Adell, and Athell, 2095
Of Bothwell bold, and of Glenkar.
110 FLODDEN-FIELD.
Lord Lovat led a lusty power,
So Clueston, Inderby, and Ross ;
Lord Maxwell with his brethren four,
With Borthwick, Bargeny, and Forbes. 2 100
Lord Arskill, Sentclear, and Simpell,
With soldiers tried a mighty sum,
All with the King came down the hill,
With Cowell, Kay, and Caddie Hume ;
With the captains of commons stout, £105
Above twenty thousand men at least ;
Which with the King, most fierce on foot,
Against their foes was then addrest.
The Earl Surrey, on the English side,
Encouraged his soldiers keen ; 21 10
Crying — w Good fellows, strike this tide,
Now let your doughty deeds be seen." —
Then spears and pikes to work was put,
And blows with bills most dure was delt,
And many a cap of steel through cut, 2115
And swinging swaps made many swelt.
FLODDEN-FIELD. Ill
There many a soldier fell in soun,
On either side with wounds right sore,
And many a strong man strucken down ;
Some dying rageously did roar. 2120
Then on the Scottish part right proud,
The Earl of Bothwell then out brast,
And stepping forth with stomach good,
Into the enemy's throng he thrast.
And, « Bothwell, Bothwell !" cried bold, 2125
To cause his soldiers to ensue ;
But there he catcht a welcome cold,
The Englishmen straight down him threw.
Thus Haburn through his hardy heart,
His fatal fine in conflict found ; 2130
Now all this while on either part,
Were dealt full many a deadly wound.
On either side were soldiers slain,
And stricken down by strength of hand,
That who could win, none weet might plain,
The victory in doubt did stand. 2136
U* FLODDEN-FIELD.
FIT THE NINTH.
Till at the last great Stanley stout,
Came marching up the mountain steep;
His folks could hardly fast their feet,
But forced on hands and feet to creep. 2140
And some their boots left down below,
That toes might take the better hold ;
Some from their feet the shoes did throw,
Of true men thus I have heard told.
The sweat down from their bodies ran, 2145
And hearts did hop in panting breast;
At last the mountain top they wan,
In warlike wise ere Scotchmen wist.
Where for a space brave Stanley staid,
Until his folks had taken breath ; 2150
To whom all sam e'en thus he said :
" Most hardy mates, down from this heath,
FLODDEN-FIELD. 113
ce Against our foes fast let us hie,
Our valiant countrymen to aid ;
With fighting fierce, I fear me, I, 2,155
Through lingering long, may be o'erlaid.
" My Lancashire most lively wights,
And chosen mates of Cheshire strong,
From sounding bow your feathered flight,
Let fiercely fly your foes among. 21 60
" March down from this high mountain top,
And brunt of battle let us bide ;
With stomach stout let's make no stop,
And Stanley stout will be your guide.
u A scourge for Scots my father was, 2165
He Barwick town from them did gain;
No doubt so ere this &&y shall pass,
His son like fortune shall obtain.
" And now the Earl of Surrey sore
The Scots, I see, besets this tide; 2170
Now since with foes he fights before,
We'll suddenly set on their side."—
H
114 FLODDEN-FIELD.
The noise then made the mountains ring,
And " Stanley stout !" they all did cry ;
Out went anon the grey goose wing 2175
Against the Scots did flickering fly.
Then showers of arrows sharp were shot,
They rattling ran as rank as hail,
And pierced the scalp of many a Scot, 2180
No shield or pavish could prevail.
Although the Scots at Stanley's name
Were 'stonisht sore, yet stout they stood ;
Yet for defence they fiercely frame,
And arrow's dint with danger bode.
And when the shower of arrows shot, 2185
Did somewhat cease within a while ;
The Earl of Huntley haughty and hot,
With the Earl of Lenox and Argile,
Lord Borthwick, Bargeny, and Forbes, 2190
With them ten thousand Scotchmen strong ;
Through death endured with danger force,
Right stoutly yet they stood to't long.
FLODDEN-FIELD. 115
Which when the Stanley stout did see,
Into the throng he thundering thrast;
w My lovely Lancashire lads/' quoth he, 2195
u Down with the Scots ! the day we waste." —
The foes he forced to break their 'ray,
And many a life was lost that while ;
No voice was heard but " kill and slay !"
Down goes the Earl of Argile. 2200
The Earl of Lenox' luck was like,
He fighting fierce was slain that tide ;
So Lord Forbes, Bargeny, and Borthwick,
Upon the bent did breathless bide.
And so the Earl of Huntley's hap 2205
Had been resembling to the rest ;
But that through skill he made a 'scape,
With an English blade he had been blest.
But he by*hap had a horse at hand,
On whom he scouring 'scapt away, 2210
Else doubtless as the case did stand,
On Floddon-Hill he had died that day.
llf) FLODDEN-FIKLD.
After these lords were fallen and fled,
And companies left captainless ;
Being sore 'stonisht in that stead, 2215
Did fall to flight both more and less ;
Whom Stanley with his total strength
Pursued right sore down on the plain,
Where on the King he light at length,
Which fighting was with all his main. 2220
When his approach the King perceived,
With stomach stout he him withstood ;
His Scots right bravely them behaved,
And boldly there the battle bode.
But when the English arrows shot, 2225
On each part did so pierce and gall,
That ere they came to handy strokes,
A number great on ground did fall. ,
The King himself was wounded sore*,
An arrow fierce ins forehead light, 2230
That hardly he could fight any more,
The blood so blemished his sight.
FLODDEN-FIELD. 117
Yet like a warrior stout he stayed,
And fiercely did exhort that tide,
His men to be nothing dismayed, 9,235
But battle boldly there to bide.
[" Fight on, my men," the King then said,
" Yet fortune she may turn the scale ;
And for my wounds be not dismayed,
Nor ever let your courage fail." — 2240
Thus dying, did he brave appear,
Till shades of death did close his eyes.
Till then he did his soldiers chear,
And raise their courage to the skies.]
But what availed his valour great, 2245
Or bold device ? All was but vain ;
His captains keen failed at his feet,
And standard-bearer down was slain*
The Archbishop of St Andrews brave,
King James his son in base begot, 2250
That doleful day did death receive,
With many a lusty lord-like Scot.
118 FLODDEN-FIELD.
As the Earl of Cainess and Caste],
Morton and Fair for all their power ;
The Earl of Arell and Athell, 2255
Lord Maxwell with his brethren four.
And last of all among the lave,
King James himself to death was brought ;
Yet by whose fact few could perceive,
But Stanley still most like was thought. 2260
After the King and captains slain,
The commons straight did fall to flight j
The Englishmen pursued amain,
And never ceased while sun gave light.
Then the Earl of Surrey made to sound 2265
A trumpet to retreat anon,
And captains caused to keep their ground,
Till morrow next while night was done.
But the English soldiers all that night,
Although they weary were with toil, 2270
The Scotchmen costly slain in fight,
Of jewels rich spared not to spoil.
FLODDEN-FIELD. U9
The corpse of many worthy wight
They uncased of his comely array,
And many a baron brave and knight 2275
Their bodies there all naked lay.
The carcase of the King himself,
Bare naked left as it was born,
Xhe Earl could not know it so well,
Searching the same upon the morn, 2280
Until Lord Dacres at the last,
By certain signs did him bewray ;
The corpse then in a cart being cast,
They to Newcastle did convey.
Great store of guns and warlike gear, 2285
Whereas the field was fought, they found ;
Which they to Barwick then being near,
And to Newcastle carried round.
The certain sum being searched out, 2290
Twelve thousand Scots died in that steed ;
On the English side were slain about
Some fifteen hundred as we read,
1*0 FLODDEN-FIELD.
Yet never a nobleman of fame,
But Bryan Tunstal bold, alas !
Whose corpse home to his burial came, 2295
With worship great, as worthy was.
This field was fought in September,
In Chronicles as may be seen ;
In the year of God, as I remember,
One thousand five hundred and thirteen. 2300
Praconia Post funera Manent.
NOTES
£ m 3
NOTES
Floddon-Field.
Such is undoubtedly the true name, according to the
following etymological note ; for which, together with
other most interesting communications, the editor is
indebted to the liberality of the eminent author of Cale-
donia: " Lambe has Floddon, Benson Floddon : Now
"Floddoii-hill is mentioned : Don or Dun applies to a
hill, but Den to a hollow. These intimations show that
Floddon is the analogical reading." — As the greater
part of the poem was printed off before Mr Chalmers's
valuable communications were received, the more
usual, though certainly less correct, reading had been
previously adopted.
1S4 NOTES,
First Fit.
The division of the poem is very indeterminate ; for
the Fits generally end in the middle of a sentence. We
must attribute this not to the poet, but to the reci-
ters ; for, that romances and chronicles, which always
went hand in hand, were recited, is undeniable; and
these reciters took greater liberties with these poems,
than Percy, or still more unfaithful modern editors, have
ever done. Thus, in the Romance of Florence and
Blancheflour, in the Low German dialect,* published
from a MS. of the 14th century, the story is five times
interrupted, at very inappropriate periods, by the re-
citer appealing to the liberality of his landlord for a
draught of beer. These impertinent intrusions neither
occur in another copy of the same romance, nor in
one of much greater extent in High German, upon
the same subject.
* It is singular, that none of the etymologists, who have in-
vestigated the origin of the English language, have observed
the extremely close similarity between the old English and
Scottish, and the dialect spoken in Lower Germany. Indeed
the inflections of the verbs bear a stronger resemblance to the
present English, than to the High German. The neglect is
the more singular, as the Anglo-Saxons certainly made their
descents upon England from that district of Germany.
NOTES. 125
The word Fit seems to have been in very general
use in the seventeenth century; for, in a petition for re-
formation in church-government, presented by the city
of London, the citizens complain of "The swarming of
lascivious, idle, and unprofitable books and pamphlets,
playbooks and ballads ; as namely, Ovid's Fits of Love,
the Parliament of Women, * come out at the dissol-
ving of the last parliament, Barnes' Poems, Barker's
Ballads, in disgrace of religion, to the increase of all
vice, and withdrawing of people from reading and
hearing the Word of God, and other good bookes."
Now willl cease for to recite. — P. I. 1. 1.
u Perhaps the author means omit, forbear. Cease,
omitto, Litt. Diet." Lam be.
The poet had probably been previously occupied in
compiling a relation of the campaign of Henry VIII.
against Terouenne and Tournay ; during whose absence
his territories were invaded by James IV ; and it is not
likely that the author should confine his art of reciting
* Two of the most scurrilous libels that ever issued from
any press, bear this title.
125 NOTES.
historical events in metre, which was probably his
profession, to this single battle.
The haughty Howard's noble act. — p. 2. 1. 26\
11 Thomas Howard, Earl of Surrey, was knighted
for his remarkable courage at the battle of Barnet.
He was made Knight of the Garter, 1 Rich. III. He
was taken prisoner in the battle of Bosworth, and
committed to the Tower by Henry VII. and attainted
by parliament. King Henry asked him, How he durst
bear arms in behalf of that tyrant Richard ? to which
he answered : * He was my crowned king, and if the
parliamentary authority of England set the crown up-
on a stock, I will fight for that stock ; and as I fought
then for him, I will fight for you, when you are esta-
blished by the said authority/ In the rebellion against
the King, by the Earl of Lincoln, the Lieutenant of
the Tower offered the Earl of Surrey the keys of the
Tower, in order to set himself at liberty ; but he re-
plied, ' That he would not be delivered by any power
but by that which had committed him/ After he had
been in prison three years and a half, the King gave
him his liberty; and, knowing his worth and nice sense
of honour, he took him into favour, and delivered up
NOTES. m
to him all his estates. The Earl took all occasions of
relieving the oppressed subjects, and was accounted
one of the ablest and greatest men in the kingdom.
The Scots made an irruption into England, and be-
sieged Norham castle : the Earl raised the siege, took
the castle of Ayton, and made all the country round
a desart. James IV. of Scotland, incensed at this,
sent a herald with a challenge to him, to which he
made a sensible and spirited answer : ' That his life
belonged to the King, whilst he had the command of
his army ; but when that was ended, that he would
fight the King on horseback, or on foot ; adding, that,
if he took the King prisoner in the combat, he would
releasehim without any ransom ; and that if the King
should vanquish him, he would then pay such a sum
for his liberty, as was competent for the degree of an
earl/ A. 1501, the Earl was Lord High Treasurer.
In June 1652, Margaret, the King's daughter, a beauti-
ful princess, at the age of fourteen years, was attended
by the Earl of Surrey, with a great company of lords,
ladies, knights, and squires, to the town of Berwick,
whence she was conveyed to St Lambert's church, in
Lamyrmoor, where King James, attended by the chief
nobility, received her, and carried her to Edinburgh.
128 NOTES.
The next day after her arrival there, she was, with
great solemnity, married unto him, in the presence of
all his nobles. The King gave great entertainments
to the English, whom the Scotch noblemen and ladies
far out-shone, both in costly apparel, rich jewels,
massy chains, habiliments set with goldsmith's work,
garnished with pearl, and stones of price, and in gal-
lant and well-trapped horses. They made also great
feasts for the English lords and ladies, and shewed
them justing, and other pleasant pastimes, as good as
could be devised, after the manner of Scotland. Di-
verse ladies of Queen Margaret's train remained in
Scotland, and were afterwards well married to noble-
men."— Lesly, Holinsiied.
" Queen Margaret's portion was ,£10,000,* her
jointure from King James, £2000 a-year, and she re-
ceived pin-money from him annually <£331, 6s. 8d.
" In 1507, two years before the death of Henry
VII. the Earl was appointed ambassador to the King
* According to the present value of money, about j£100,000,
and the jointure =£20,000 per ann. A curious account of the
marriage of James IV. and Margaret, occurs in Leland's Col-
lectanea.
NOTES. 139
of France. 2 Henry VIII. he was made Earl Mar-
shall for life. A. 1511, he was one of the commis-
sioners at the court of Arragon. When Henry VII I»
heard that the Scots were preparing to invade Eng-
land, he said, " That he had left a nobleman,* who
would defend his subjects from insults/' After the
battle of Floddon, the Earl himself presented King
James's armour to the Queen-regent. When the King
returned from France, he gave the Earl an augmenta-
tion of his arms, viz. to bear on the bend, the upper
part of a red lion, depicted in the same manner as the
arms of Scotland, pierced through the mouth with an
arrow. A. 1514, [the first of February,] the Earl was
created Duke of Norfolk, and a grant was given him
in special tail of several manors. He hated and op-
posed Cardinal Wolsey, because he advised the King
to measures hurtful to the liberties of the people.
Finding that this opposition availed nothing, he re-
signed his post, and retired from court. He died, A.
1514, [the 21st May."] Lambe.
* According to others, the Earl was present at the taking
of Therouene and Tournay, and sent by Henry VIII. to take
the command of the army against the Scots. ♦
ISQ tfOTES.
There is the doughty Dacres o/</.-*p. 4. 1. 69.
Thomas, Lord Dacre, was one of the most active ge-
nerals and wardens against Scotland ; notwithstanding
the aspersions cast upon him by some enemies at court,
against which he fully defends his conduct, in a curi-
ous letter to the council, dated 1514, and printed
from the original, in Pinkerton's History of Scotland.
In the original Gazette of Floddon-Field, he is spoken
of in high terms by the Lord Admiral, who seems to
have drawn up the account. As the whole passage
strongly vindicates the warden's character, and, at the
same time, the defeat of Sir Edmond Howard is candidly
allowed, it shall be extracted at length : — " Item — -Ed-
mond Howard, second jilt du Conte de Surrey, avoit avec
luy mil hommes du pays de Lanqchere et Cheshire, et
plusicurs autres gentilz hommes de la conte d'York. Et
faisoit le d' 'Edmond la droicte elle du seigneur de
Howard son fr ere, surlequelz le seigneur Chambellan du
Roy d'Escosse, avec plusieurs autres srs. donnerent
dedens. Maistre Gray, et Mesr Humfrey, demourent
prisonnirs, et Messire Richard Harbottell tue, et le
d' Edmond Howard fut troisfois abatu ; et Tint a son
relief le seigneur Dacres avec XVC hommes; et telle-
ment exploicta quit mist cnfuyte * r d'Escossois, ct eut
NOTES. 131
envyron des gens dud. seigneur Dacres
tuez, et en la de bataille fut tue wig grant nombre des
d'Escossois"
Lord Dacre accompanied, in 9 Henry VII. the Earl
of Surrey in his expedition to the relief of Norham-
castle. At the battle of Floddon he commanded the
cavalry, and encountered the Earls of Huntley and
Hume, where, of the Homes, Sir John, Cuthbert of
Fastcastle, and many others, were slain. In 1512, he
accepted the office of Warden of the East and Middle
Marches, which Lord Darcy had refused. He seems
subsequently also to have had the West Marches under
his controul ; and in the above-mentioned letter, boasts
of having destroyed six times more Scottish towns and
houses, than the Scots had been able to burn. At the
same time he accuses Lord Darcy, the Earl of Nor-
thumberland, the Bishop of Durham, and William
Heron of Ford, of refusing to obey his summons. Be-
sides his martial exploits, he carried on various nego-
ciations, to the great advancement of English influ-
ence at the court of Scotland. Upon the old ruins
at Drumbuygh, between Boulness and Burgh upon
the Sands, in Cumberland, he built a small castle for
the defence of the country, and employed the stones
132 NOTES.
of the Picts' wall to that purpose. In 1523, he led
the cavalry in Surrey's attack upon Jedburgh, and,
after an obstinate conflict, took the castle of Ferni-
herst. Through the device of the Scots, but imputed
by Dacre and his commander to the power of infernal
agents, he lost, out of fifteen hundred horses, by the
arrows and flames, five hundred. The Warden alleges,
that the prince of daemons appeared visibly to him six
times that night.. [See Surrey's Letter to Henry
VIII.] Lord Dacre died, as Warden and Knight of
the Garter, the 24th of October, 1525.
There is Sir Edward Stanley stout. — P. 5. 1. 73.
" Sir Edward Stanley made a solemn declaration
before he went to this battle, that if he returned victo-
rious, he would do something to the honour of God ;
and accordingly, on his return, he began to build the
magnificent chapel of Hornby ; the steeple being an
octagon of hewn stone, of an extensive height, with
six bells; the chancel of the like stone, with diverse
figures thereon, and the roof covered with lead. An
eagle cut in stone, with an inscription in Roman text,
" Edwardus Stanley, Miles, Dominus Monteagle, Me
fieri fecit." He dying before it was perfected, the pa-
NOTES. 133
rish finished the body of the chapel, which is of infe-
rior work/' — Benson.
Sir Edward Stanley, the fifth son of Thomas, first
Earl of Derby, commanded the rear at the battle of
Floddon, and, with his Lancashire archers, forced the
right wing of the Scots from its advantageous position
on the hill, and by this manoeuvre decided the battle.
For these services, he was, the following year, created
Lord Monteagle, because his ancestors bore an eagle
for their crest. From the distinguished manner in
which he is mentioned by our poet, celebrating his
achievements above those of all the other English ge-
nerals, particularly those of the Howard family, a
close connection with the Stanleys may be inferred.
The northern idioms which abound in this work, joined
to the above evidence, render it more than probable,
that the author was a retainer, or at least under the
influence of that family.
Of Latham-house by line came out. — P. 5. 1. ?'5.
Latham -house, near Ormskirk, in Lancashire. "This
family is originally from Cheshire, but removed hither
upon this occasion. Sir John Stanley married the
sole heiress of Sir Thomas Latham, and had with her
151 NOTES.
this seat, and a large estate belonging to it; to which
he, upon his marriage, removing, made many addi-
tions, that, with what his successors built afterwards,
it became the principal seat of the family. This house
is famous for a siege of two gear's continuance, main-
tained by Charlotte, Countess of Derby, against the
parliament forces, who were forced to leave it unta-
ken, though they afterwards became masters of it,
and laid it almost level with the ground ; the heroic
lord of it being beheaded at Bolton, October 15,
1651."— Benson.
For through his father's force ', quoth he. — P. 5. 1. 79.
" This was Thomas Stanley, the first Earl of Derby
of that family, who built Greenhaugh castle, near
Garstang, in Lancashire, for his defence against cer-
tain of the nobility, from whom he had great appre-
hensions of danger, because, being outlawed, King
Henry VII. had given him their estates : for they made
several attempts upon him, and frequently made in-
roads into his grounds ; but at last he pacified all their
animosities and discontents, by his prudent behaviour
towards them/' — Benson.
NOTES. 1*5
Lord Clifford too a lusty troop.— -P. 5. 1. 81.
His father fell fighting for the house of Lancaster,
at the battle of Towton, March 29, 14-61. He was
placed by his mother at Lansborow, in Yorkshire,
where she herself then lived, and given in charge to a
shepherd, who had married an attendant on his nurse.
Till the year 146*9, when his grandfather, Lord Clif-
ford,^died, he was brought up as a shepherd. About
this time, the Yorkists suspected the account of his
dying as an infant to be unfounded ; and his mother,
with her second husband Sir Lancelot Threlkeld, con-
veyed him and his supposed parents to a border-farm
in Cumberland. After the battle of Bosworth, he
was restored by Henry VII. to his honours, being then
thirty-one years old, and unable to read. He was
greatly attached to astronomy ; and, in order to in-
dulge his propensity to that art, built Barden-tower,
in Yorkshire, near the priory of Bolton ; for the ca-
nons of this house were great adepts in that science.
He accompanied the Earl of Surrey in his expedition
to Norham and Ay ton castle. At Floddon- Field he
bore a principal command. He died April 17, 1523.
The interesting and romantic story of this nobleman
is capable of the highest poetical embellishments ; and
136 NOTES.
Mr Wordsworth has lately adorned the subject with a
vigorous strain of poetry, far above the general tenor
of his compositions.
And with the lusty knight. Lord Scroop. — P. 5. 1. 73.
Henry Scroop, Lord Bolton, succeeded to the title
A. 14-94. He was one of the commanders at Floddon.
in 1513.
And some thought to the Earl of Derby. — P. 6. 1. 99»
Thomas, second Earl of Derby, succeeded his
grandfather in the year 15(H. He attended Henry
VIII. to the expedition against Therouene and Tour-
nay in 1513, and died the 24th of May, 1522.
Then did he send Sir William Bulmer* — P. 6. 1. 10i.
Sir William Bulmer of Brumspeth castle. The last
of this family, summoned as peer of the realm to par-
liament, was Ralph, from 1 till 23 Edward III. Sir
William routed the Borderers under Lord Home, who
had made an incursion into England, previous to the
battle of Floddon.
When Andrew Barton bold he slew. — P. 8. 1. 152.
" The transaction which did the greatest honour to
NOTES. 13T
the Earl of Surrey and his family at this time, [A.D.
1511.] was their behaviour in the case of Barton, a
Scotch sea-officer. This gentleman's father, having
suffered by sea from the Portuguese, he had obtained
letters of marque for his two sons, to make reprisals
upon the subjects of Portugal. It is extremely pro-
bable, that the court of Scotland granted these letters
with no very honourable intention. The council-
board of England, at which the Earl of Surrey held
the chief place, was daily pestered with complaints
from the sailors and merchants, that Barton, under
pretence of searching for Portuguese goods, interrupt-
ed the English navigation. Henry's situation at that
time, rendered him backward from breaking with
Scotland, so that their complaints were but coldly re-
ceived. The Earl of Surrey, however, could hot
smother his indignation, but gallantly declared at the
council-board, that while he had an estate, that could
furnish out a ship, or a son that was capable of com-
manding one, the narrow seas should not be infested
Sir Andrew Barton, who commanded two Scotch ships,
had the reputation of being one of the ablest sea-offi-
cers of his time. By his depredations he amassed
great wealth, and his ships were very richly laden.
138 NOTES.
Henry, notwithstanding his situation,~could not refuse
the generous offer of the Earl of Surrey. Two ships
were immediately fitted out, and put to sea, with let-
ters of marque, under his two sons, Sir Thomas,
(called by old historians Lord Howard, afterwards
created Earl of Surrey, in the lifetime of his father,
who, after the famous victory of Floddon-Field, was
raised to the dignity of Duke of Norfolk) and Sir Ed-
ward Howard.
" After encountering a great deal of foul weather,
Sir Thomas came up with the Lion, which was com-
manded by Sir Andrew Barton in person ; and Sir Ed-
ward Howard came up with the Union, Barton's other
ship, (called by Hall the bark of Scotland.) The,
engagement which ensued was extremely obstinate on
both sides ; but at last the fortune of the Howards
prevailed.
" Sir Andrew Barton was killed fighting bravely,
and encouraging his men with his whistle to hold out
to the last ; and the two Scotch ships with their crews
were carried into the river Thames, Aug. 2, 1511.
u This exploit had the more merit, as the two Eng-
lish commanders were in a manner volunteers in the
service, by their father's order. But it seems to have
NOTES. 139
laid the foundation of Sir Edward's fortune ; for, on
the seventh of April, 1512, the King constituted
him (according to Dugdale) Admiral of England,
Wales, &c.
" King James insisted upon satisfaction for the death
of Barton, and capture of the ships ; though Henry had
generously dismissed the crews, and even agreed that
the parties accused might appear in his court of ad-
miralty by their attornies, to vindicate themselves." — «
Guthrie s New Peerage.
" In the old ballad, entitled ' Sir Andrew Barton/
the bowman who shot Sir Andrew, is, by a mistake,
called Horsley. It was a Yorkshire gentleman that
killed him, of the name of Hustler." — Lam be.
Your warden with his spiteful spear. — P. p. 1. 158.
" Sir Robert Carr [Ker] was made by James IV.
his chief butler, engineer, and warden of the middle
marches. He was much esteemed by the King for
his virtuous qualities. He was a severe punisher of
the English and Scotch Border-robbers, therefore they
were determined to destroy him. At a solemn meet-
ing between the English and Scotch, [A. 1511.] in or-
der to reclaim stolen goods, altercations arose, when
110 NOTES.
three desperate Englishmen, John Heron the Bastard,
Lilburn, and Starhed, fell upon him ; one of whom
stabbed him with a spear in the back, and the other
two dispatched him. Henry VI I. enraged at this vil-
lainous action, delivered William Heron, laird of Ford,
brother to the Bastard, and Lilburn, to the Scots, who
imprisoned them in Fastcastle tower in the Merse,
where the latter died. The Bastard and Starhed hid
themselves in the interior parts of England, until the
reign of Henry VIII. when the Bastard, trusting to the
power of his relations, appeared openly at his own
house, and privately sent thieves into Scotland to
disturb the peace. Starhed thought himself safe, ha-
ving built a house at the distance of ninety miles from
the Border. But Andrew Carr, the son of Robert,
prevailed upon two of his dependants, of the name of
Tate, to disguise themselves, who entered Starhed's
house at night, and brought away his head to Andrew,
who fixed it in one of the most conspicuous places of
the city of Edinburgh.
" The Bastard flourished many years, till A. 1524,
when he, with 900 Englishmen, entered the marches
of Scotland. After a stout battle with the Scots, 200
NOTES. 141
Englishmen were taken prisoners, and the Bastard
slain/' — Ho lin shed.
" Others write, that 200 Scots were taken, and
that the rest fled. And that Sir Ralph Fen wick, Leo-
nard Musgrave, and the Bastard, with thirty pother
horsemen, having pursued the Scots too far, were
overcome by them ; Fenwick, Musgrave, and six others,
being taken prisoners, and the Bastard killed : whose
death the Scots thought to be a very ample recom-
pense for the loss of their two hundred men." — Hall,
as quoted by Lam be. See an account of the Bastard
Hearon, in a subsequent page.
Then manful Maxwell answered soon. — P. 9. 1. \6l.
John, fourth Lord Maxwell, was a man of great
courage and resolution, and was among the number of
those who fell at Floddon.
And then stood up haughty Lord Hume* — P. 10. 1. 179'
Alexander, third Lord Home, succeeded his father
in 1506. He was a man of great abilities, and pro-
moted by James IV. to the office of Lord High Cham-
berlain, in the end of 1507. While this sovereign
lived, he continued in high favour. Previous to the
142 NOTES.
battle of Floddon, he made, probably by order of the
King, an inroad into England, but was defeated by
Sir William Bulmer, and the prey he had collected
taken from him. Notwithstanding the calumnies of
historians, who went so far as to accuse him of mur-
dering his sovereign subsequently to the battle, it ap-
pears that he fought with great bravery. He conti-
nued in favour during the minority of James V. ; till
his opposition to Albany having caused his exile, he
imprudently returned, and, being tried and convicted
of treason, before the parliament of Scotland, he was
beheaded October 8, 1 5l6.
The King then called to De-la-mount. — P. 11. 1. ip7«
The popularity of Sir David Lindsay of the Mount
probably caused this mistake, as he was subsequently
[A. 1530.] lyon king.— See the notes on Canto IV. of
Marmion, or a Tale of Flodden-Field*
With a lusty lord, called Herbert. — P. 11. 1. 204.
Charles, natural son of Henry, Duke of Somerset,
was a man of great abilities, was constituted in 1509
one of the privy council, and acquired the title of Lord
Herbert, by his marriage with Elizabeth, the heir of
NOTES. 143
William Herbert, Earl of Huntingdon. He had sum-
mons to the parliaments in 1509 and 1511 among the
barons, by the name of Charles Somerset de Herbert
Chevalier. He attended Henry VIII. with 6000 foot
to Therouenne and Tournay ; and, for his valour, re-
ceived the office of Lord Chamberlain for life, and the
title of Earl of Worcester. He died in the year 1525,
and was buried in St George's chapel, Windsor.
In his banner brave he displays
A half -moon in gold glistering gay,
P. 11.1. 207. 208.
"The silver crescent is the badge of the Percys,
supposed to have been assumed by one of that noble
family, who had been in an expedition against the Sa-
racens in the Holy Land/'— Lam be.
Henry Percy, fifth Earl of Northumberland, suc-
ceeded his father, who was murdered by the rebels,
as Lieutenant of Yorkshire, in 4 Henry VII. In the
battle of Blackheath, against Lord Audley and his
followers, he was one of the chief commanders. In
1513 he accompanied Henry VIII. to Therouenne, and
died A. 1526.
144 NOTES.
A talbot brave, a burly tike. — P. 12. 1. 214.
George Talbot, Earl of Shrewsbury, succeeded his
father, who died -September the 26th, 1464. In 14S7,
he fought at the battle of Stoke, near Newark, against
the rebels, and, three years after that, was sent with
others to Flanders, to the aid of the Emperor Maxi-
milian. In 1513, he commanded the vanguard of the
King's army at Therouenne. He made some inroad*
into Scotland, as lieutenant of the north, in 1522 ;
and in 1537 marched as the King's lieutenant to quell
the insurrection in Yorkshire, called the Pilgrimage of
Grace. He died July 26th 1542; directing by his
will, that he should be buried without any ceremonies,
but a dirge on the eve, and a sermon on the morrow ;
and 25 poor men to carry torches and have black
gowns, but not above one hundred gowns to be given
to his servants, besides those for his wife's gentlewo-
men. Besides other charitable donations, he left to
a thousand priests, to say Placebo, Dirige, and Mass,
for his, and all Christian souls, sixpence each.
Which called is the doughty Darcy.—~ P. 12. 1. 220.
At the time of the general survey, Norman de Areci
enjoyed 33 lordships in Lincolnshire, by gift of Wil-
NOTES. 145
liam the Conqueror. One of these, Noctone, was
his chief seat, and continued that of his posterity
for after ages. Thomas, Lord Darcy, succeeded
William in 1497* In the same year he marched
with Thomas, Earl of Surrey, to the relief of Nor-
ham castle. In 149S, being a knight of the King's
body, he was made constable of the castle of Bam-
borough, and, in the ensuing year, captain of the town
and castle of Berwick ; also warden of the East
and Middle Marches. In 1502, he was one of the
commissioners to receive the oath of James IV., upon
a treaty of peace. He was appointed general warden
of the marches towards Scotland in 1506, and ser-
ved two campaigns in the wars of Ferdinand of Arra-
gon, against the Moors, in 1510 and 1511. The 20th
of June, 1539> he was beheaded for delivering up Pon-
tefract castle to Robert Aske, commander of the re-
bels, assembled on account of religious differences in
the north.
Dudley.— P. 12. 1. 221.
Edward, Lord Dudley, Knight of the Garter, was
summoned to Parliament from 1492 to 1530.
K
146 NOTES.
Delaware. — P. 12. 1. 221.
Thomas West, Lord La Warre, succeeded his fa-
ther in 1 6 Edward IV. He died 9th October, 1554.
The Duke of Buckingham is there. — P. 12. 1. 223.
Edward Stafford, Duke of Buckingham, succeeded
his father, who was executed for rising in arms against
Richard III. He was one of the commanders against
the Cornishmenin 13 Henry VII. Shortly before his
fall, the splendour of his appointment was greater than
that of any other nobleman. He was ruined by the
knavery of Knivet, a steward whom he had dischar-
ged for his tyranny against his tenants ; and by the
enmity and envy of Wolsey. He was beheaded May
17th, 1521.
Lord Cobham.—V. 1 2. 1. 224.
Thomas Brooke, Lord Cobham, succeeded his father
in 1506. He was with Henry VIII. at Thereuenne
and Tournay, and the following year was sent with
Lord Abergavenny to Calais. He died the 19th July,
1521.
NOTES. 147
Lord Willoughby.—P. 12. h 224.
William, Lord Willoughby of Eresby, was associ-
ated with Charles Brandon, Viscount L'isle, at the
siege of Tournay, for the defence of the ordnance, to-
gether with their bands, and was one of the command-
ers who entered that city after the surrender. He
died 1527, the 4th of May.
There is the Earl of Essex gay. — P. 12. 1. 225.
Henry Bourchier, Earl of Essex, succeeded 1483.
In 1 Henry VII. he was one of the privy council, and
A. 1493 attended that King to the siege of Bou-
logne. Four years after, he was one of the chief com-
manders at Blackheath, against the Cornish insur-
gents. In 1509 ne was appointed by Henry VIII.
captain of his horseguard, then newly instituted for at-
tending his person ; " which consisted of fifty horse,
trapped with cloth of gold, or goldsmith's work,
whereof every one had his archer, a demilance, and
coustrill." In 1513, he was at Therouenne and
Tournay, being then Lieutenant General of all the
King's spears. H« was killed by a fall from his horse,
A. 1540.
148 NOTES.
Stafford stout, Earl of Wiltshire.— -P. 12. 1. 226.
Henry Stafford, created 1508 Earl of Wiltshire. He
died without issue, March 6\ 1522.
Earl of Kent. —Y. 12. 1. 227.
Richard de Grey, Earl of Kent, Knight of the Gar-
ter, attended Henry VIII. to Theroueiine, and died
the 3d of May, 1524.
Lord Grey.— P. 12. 1. 22?'.
John Grey, Lord Powys, was with the Earl of Ox-
ford at the siege of Ardres in Picardy, A. 1517.
Haughty Hastings, hot as fire.— V . 12. 1. 228.
George, Lord Hastings, succeeded 1507. Attend-
ed Henry VIII. to Therouenne in 1513. He was
created Earl of Huntingdon in 1530,; and 1537
marched with other lords against the Pilgrimage of
Grace. He died the 24th of March, 1544.
There is the Marquis Dorset brave. — P. 13. 1. 229.
Thomas Grey, Marquis of Dorset, succeeded his
father in 18 Henry VII. In 1511 he was general of
the troops sent to Spain. They amounted to 10,000
NOTES. 149
tnen, who, besides bows and arrows, carried halberts,
which they pitched in the ground till their arrows were
shot. The General falling sick, the whole army re-
turned without achieving any enterprize of moment.
In 1513, he and four of his brothers, with some other
English gentlemen, attended the tournament proclaim-
ed at St Dennis, by Francis de Valois, heir of the
crown of France. At the meeting of Henry VIII. and
Francis I., he carried the sword of the former, and
again jousted with great eclat. He died A. 1530.
Fitzwater.—V. 13. 1. 230.
Robert RadclifFe, Lord Fitzwalter. His father ha-
ving borne arms for Perkin Warbeck, was attainted.
After his death the son was restored by Henry VII.
in 1506, to his honours. He was at the siege of
Therouenne and Tournay. In 1523, he led the van
in Surrey's expedition into France; and in 1526, was
created Viscount Fitzwalter for his service, and the
28th September, 1529> Earl of Sussex. He was ap-
pointed Lord High Chancellor of England for life, and
died October 17, 1542.
Earl of Westmoreland. — P. 13. 1. 242.
Instead of giving an account of the Earl of West-
150 NOTES.
moreland here mentioned, Mr Lambe introduces at
this place the first of his long and desultory notes. He
commences by an account of Ralph, Lord Nevil of
Raby castle, and Earl of Westmoreland, who died
1425, and his posterity ; then relates some anecdotes
concerning a Bishop of Winchester, the Bishops of
Durham, and a Countess of Shrewsbury, which are
not uninteresting, but neither tend to elucidate the
poem, nor are in the least connected with the subject
of it. He concludes with a pious sentence from St Aus-
tin. It is hoped the above statement will sufficient-
ly excuse the omission of this and other rambling
notes, some of which extend to the length of thirty
pages. Wherever Mr Lam he's illustrations are in the
least pertinent to the subject, they have been careful-
ly preserved.
Ralph, Earl of Westmoreland, succeeded to the title
in 2 Richard III., being then 28 years old. His death
is said to have been occasioned by grief for that of his
eldest son. He was buried at Hornby, in Richmond-
shire.
-Bishop of St Andrews brave. — P. 26. 1. 495,
1 Alexander Stewart, archbishop of St Andrews, was
NOTES. 151
the natural son of James IV,, by Margaret, daughter
of Archibald Boyd of Bonshaw. He was born in the
year 1495 ; and being a child of great hopes, all ima-
ginable care was taken of his education ; for the king,
his father, intending to breed him to the church, pro-
vided an excellent tutor for him, the learned Doctor
Patrick Panter, his secretary, who was a person tho-
roughly qualified, in all respects, for so great a trust.
This young gentleman having gone through a course
of grammar learning, to all imaginable advantage, it
was thought necessary, for the further improvement
of his education, to send him abroad, into foreign
parts, to follow his studies, which he did ; his Majes-
ty having pitched upon Sir Thomas Halkerton to have
the inspection of his education, and who, accordingly,
accompanied him in his travels, as his preceptor and
governor. (Epistolce Jacobi IV.) Mr Stewart having
made the tour of France, he went to Italy, and settled
at Padua, where he pursued his studies with uncom-
mon application, under the direction of the most fa-
mous masters, particularly that great restorer of learn-
ing, Erasmus Roterodamus, whom we find, among
other literati, exceedingly condoling the Archbishop's
immature death.
l.r)2 NOTES.
" The King designing his son to the highest digni-
ties of the church within his dominions, the pope Ju-
lius II. indulged his Majesty in the matter, and pro-
vided him to the Archbishopric of St Andrews, which
had been kept vacant for him from the death of the
former prelate, his uncle.
" After the Archbishop had, by his study and tra-
velling, rendered himself capable of serving the church
and his country, he returned home in 1510, and was
received with great love by the King, Queen, and court,
and the nobility, for his rare learning, and natural
sweetness of temper, qualities he was endowed with
to a very eminent degree ; and the King, who loved
him most passionately, being desirous that he should
appear with as great lustre in the state as he was to do
in the church, was pleased to make him Lord Chan-
cellor in 1511 ; (Rymer's Feeder a) and, that the pope
might contribute, he made him his legate d latere in
Scotland ; and gave him the rich abbey of Dunfermline,
and priory of Coldingham, in commendam. All these dig-
nities this most hopeful royal youth held for the space
of three years, till he lost his life with the King, his
father, at the battle of Floddon, and above five thou-
sand of the noblest and worthiest persons of the king-
NOTES. 153
dom, when he had not fully completed the 21st year
of his age. He was Archbishop of St Andrews, A.
1510, (Reg. Chart,), also, Chancellor and Archbi-
shop, A. 1512, and Commendator of the two abbeys
of Dunfermline and Coldingham. (Ibid.) He was bi-
shop, A. 1511, (Errolet Chart. Aberd.) and 1512,
(Cart. Dunf.)"— Keith's Catal of Bishops.
• St Triman of Quhytehorn.— ¥. 27. 1. 511.
" Triman of Quhytehorn, read Ninian of Quhyte-
horn. [Probably corrupted from Ringan, the Gaelic
name of that saint. See Chalmers's Lindsay, III. 3.]
Many pilgrims resorted on the l6th day of September
to the sepulchre of St Ninian, in the church of Whit-
horn. The Queen of James III. undertook this pilgrim-
age, A. 1474. The following article is in the ac-
counts of the treasurer of Scotland : — " Item, To An-
dro Balfour, 20th August, 1474, for livery-gowns to
six ladies of the Queen's chamber, at her passing to
Quhytehorn, 21 ells of grey, fra David Gill, price
£\0, 10s. Scots."— The historian Hawthornden says,
that James IV., upon his Queen being dangerously
ill in childbed, 1507, went a pilgrimage on foot to St
Ninians, at Whithorn in Galloway. In this journey
154 NOTES.
he fell in love with lady Jane Kennedy, a daughter of
the Earl of Cassilis ; and he confined the Earl of
Angus, for some time, to the island of Arran, for car-
rying her away. At Whithorn, which was a bishop's
see, there was a priory founded before the year 1126,
by Fergus, Lord of Galloway/' — Lam be.
Doffin, their demigod of Ross. — P. 27. 1. 512.
" Doffin, demigod, read Duthack, demigod of Ross.
He was a bishop and confessor, and lived at Tain, in
Ross-shire. In the old breviary of Aberdeen, there, is
an office and legend of this saint, which enumerates
the miracles wrought by him ; and mentions particu-
larly that of his augmenting the quantity of victuals.
There is a church dedicated to him, to which there
was a great resort of pilgrims on his feast day, March
8, often spoken of by the Scotch historians.
" A. 1507, King James made many progresses
through Scotland, holding courts, redressing grievan-
ces, punishing offenders ; so that the country became
so peaceable, that he ventured to ride, without any at-
tendant, 130 miles, August 30th, in one day, from
Stirling, by Perth and Aberdeen, to Elgin, where he
NOTES. 155
lay all night, without going to bed, upon a bare table,
at the house of Thomas Lesly, parson of Elgin. He
rose early the next morning, and rode forty miles to St
Duthack's in Ross, and was there time enough to hear
mass, and receive the sacrament, and to visit the
saint's shrine." August 31st, according to Holinshed,
was that saint's festival day. In the Edinburgh Al-
manack, March 8th, is St Duthack's feast ; but pos-
sibly, like St Cuthbert, he might have had two feasts
in the year. As the reader will not think this a matter
of great consequence, we shall enquire no further about
it.
" This king made other pilgrimages to holy places,
if not alone, at least on foot/'— Lambe. The name
of this saint is also corrupted in Sir David Lindsay's
Monarchic : —
u Sanct Duthow borit out of ane block."
Abbots eke, bold as the rest. — P. 27. 1. 515.
■' William Bunch, Abbot of Kilwinning ; Lawrence
Oliphant, Abbot of InchefFray." — Lambe.
This note is followed by some observations on alli-
teration. Little satisfactory evidence is brought for-
156 NOTES.
ward, but a long poem introduced, merely to show
that the l6th century produced harmonious verses, as
well as the age of Waller and Dryden ; though the
work commented upon by Mr L. is by no means defi-
cient in that respect.
To Norham Castle strait they came. — P. 31.1. 572.
" Norham. Northham, Saxon. Antiquitus Ubban-
ford, Symeon Dun. [840 Chron. Lindis.] The castle
of Norham upon Twede is not of antiquitie compara-
ble with the towne, for the churche of the towne was
reedified by one Ecgrede, Byshop of Lyndisfarne,
(which see is now at Durham,) above 700 yeares pass-
ed, before which tyme also theare was a churche, for
otherwise he could not have reedified it. (Symeon Dun.)
It was by him dedicated to St Peter and Ceolwulphe,
sometyme a kinge, and after professed in the religious
house at Lindisfarne, now the Holy Isle, whose bodie
before tyme laye buryed theare. This done, he gave
it, together with Gedworde, Geinsforth, and many
other thinges, lyinge betwene Tese and Weere to the
church of Lindisfarne, or rather (to use their owne
phrase) to St Cuthbert. But as for the castle of Nor-
ham C 1123 Chron* Lindis. Alphred. Beverlac.J it was
NOTES. 157
buylded longe tyme after, against the invasion of the
Scottishe Borderers, by one Ranulphe, Byshope of
Durham, in the 21st yeare.of Henry I. his reigne.
And Hugh Puteac, another Byshop of the same see,
erected the great tower within the same, 1180. Chron.
Lindisfarne. Kinge Jhon. (sayes Mat. of Westmin-
ster) takinge advauntage of the peaceable disposition
of William, then Scottish kinge, (Floril. 1209, ) quar-
relled withe him, and gatheringe an huge hoast toge-
ther, so frayed him at this place, that he gladly gave
him 1 1000 marcs for his peace. Edward the First
called a parliament to Norham, whereunto he sum-
moned the Lordes of Scotland (1290, an^ layinge be-
fore theim his right to the superioritie of that realme,
which he had caused to be searched out of auncyent
chronicles, vowed that he would bestow his life in that
quarreil, if otherwise he might not obtayne; where-
upon the nobles of that countrey (Prosp.J by their
autentical instrument, made recognition of that his
righte, and weare contented that he should appointe
to reigne which of them soever it should please him.
(Hector ', 1328.J This charter begynneth thus, Flo-
rcntius Comes Holandice, Robertus de Bruse, &c.
Jlcctor Boet. affirmeth, that Robert of Scotland wan
158 NOTES.
this castle from Edward III., but thereof our owne
chroniclers have no mention ; only Lilley reporteth,
(Lil. 1496J that the Scottes made an attempt theare
in the tyme of Henry VII., but that they prevailed
nothinge."-* Lam bard's Dictionarium Anglice Topo-
graphicum et Historicum, (circa 15? 7. J
" A.D. 1121, Ralph Flamberg, Bishop of Durham,
built Norham castle on the top of a steep rock, and
moated it round. He finished also the present cathe-
dral church of Durham, which was begun by his pre-
decessor William de Sancto Carilepho, A. 1080, who
died A. 1097. Flamberg also built Framwel -gate-
bridge, in Durham. He sate 29 years, and died A.
1128.
" The keep or tower of Norham was destroyed by
the Scots, and afterwards rebuilt by Hugh Pudsey,
by the command of his cousin King Stephen. He was
bishop 42 years, and died A. 1195.
" King Richard I. purposing to make an expedition
into the Holy Land, raised money in all parts of his
kingdom. Amongst other things, he sold to Hugh
Pudsey the earldom of Northumberland, merrily
laughing when he invested him, and saying, ' Am I
not cunning'and my craft's master, that can make a
NOTES. 159
young earl of an old bishop ?' But this prelate was
fit to be an earl, for the world, as one of that age
said of him, was not crucifixus to him, but infixus in
him. — Lib. Dunelm.
" What the state of the castle was in Queen Eliza-
beth's time, we learn from Camden, who says, * In
the utmost wall, and largest in circuit of the castle, are
placed several turrets, on a canton, towards the river
Tweed, within which there is a second inclosure,
much stronger than the former, and in the middle of
that again, rises a high keep or tower. Under the
castle, on a level westward, lies the town of Norham,
anciently called by the Saxons, Ubbanford, the upper
ford, belonging to the Bishop of Durham. When the
Danes had miserably wasted the Holy Island, wherein
St Cuthbert lay buried, some endeavoured to convey
his body beyond sea, but the winds standing contrary,
they, with all due reverence, deposited the sacred bo-
dy at Ubbanford, near the river Tweed, where it lay
for many years, till the coming of King Ethelred. —
Vid. William de Malmesbury de Gest, Pontif. lib. 1.
This, and other matters, were taught me by George
Carlton, born at this place, son to the keeper of Nor-
ham castle. [Died, as Bishop of Chichester, A. J 628,
160 NOTES.
aged 69 years.] The old people told us that at Killey,
(Kylo,) a little neighbouring village below Norham,
were found, within the memory of our grandfathers,
the studs of a knight's belt, and the hilt of a sword of
massy gold, which were presented to Thomas Ruthal,
Bishop of Durham." — Camden's Britannia.
" Egred of noble birth, was consecrated Bishop of
Holy Island, A. 831. He dedicated the church at
Norham to the saints, Peter, Cuthbert, and CeoJ-
wulph, which he built together with the town, and
gave them both to the see of Holy Island. He gave
to it also the town of Jedburgh in Tiviotdale, with its
appendages, and the church and town of Gainforth,
and whatever belonged to it from the river Teise to
the Weor. These two towns and church the Bishop
built. — Sym. Dun.
" King Ceolwulph, to whom Bede dedicated his
Ecclesiastical History, was a learned man. He was
descended from Ida, the first King of Northumberland.
The former part of his reign was very troublesome.
Afterwards, in time of peace, many Northumbrian
nobles, and private men, with their King Ceolwulph,
turned monks. In the tenth year of his reign, A. 7SS,
he quitted his crown for a cowl, and entered the mo-
NOTES. 161
nastery of the Holy Island, whither he carried his
treasure, leaving his kingdom to Eadbert, his uncle's
son. He endowed the monastery with the towns of
Braynshaugh, Warkworth, and the church which
he built there, and also four other villages, Wude-
cestre, Whittingham, Edlingham, and Eglingham, with
their appendages. After a long life, he was buried in
the monastery. The above-mentioned Bishop Egred
took up his body, and deposited it in the church of
Norham. His head was afterwards carried to the ab-
bey of Durham.— Sym eon Dun elm ens. Hove den.
" The monks of the cell of Norham in the follow-
ing year, called in the country to make their offerings
at the shrine of their royal brother, who always per-
formed some mighty miracle on his feast day. Out of
the foundation of this cell, belonging to Holy Island,
I dug a stone, on which were cut the effigies of the
three patrons of Norham church, St Peter with his
keys, St Cuthbert, and St Ceolwulph with his sceptre
in his hand. Each of these saints hath his head co-
vered with a monk's cowl or hood.
" Cells were houses tfoat belonged to all great ab-
beys or monasteries. Sometimes they were so far dis-
tant from one another, that the mother-abbey was in
162 NOTES,
England, and the child-cell beyond the sea, and so
reciprocally. Some of these were richly endowed, as
that of Wyndham in Norfolk, which was annexed to
St Alban's, and was able at the dissolution, to expend,
of its own revenues, <£?2 per annum. Into these cells,
the monks of the abbeys sent colonies, when they were
too much crowded, or when they were afraid of an in-
fectious disease at home.
" Aidan, the founder of the monastery of Lindis-
farne, or Holy Island, confined the monks to drink
only milk and water. But the royal monk, Ceolwulph,
finding his abode somewhat cool, in an island unshel-
tered by either tree or bush, from the nipping sea-
blasts, permitted his brethren, (as Hoveden says,) to
drink both wine and ale." — Lam be.
In the metrical romance of Artour and Merlin, in
the Auchinleck MS., the residence of King Vriens is
named Norham, and mentioned in this manner :
" The kinges, that discomfit ware,
Al day and al night haddc yfare,
On hors armed with grete hete,
"Withouten drink, withouten mete,
Til thai com to Norhartt,
A. fair cite of gude waraunt :
Norham was that time, y wene,
A prout cite, and strong, and kenc;
1
notes. ioa
Ich you telle at on word,
King Vriens was thereof lord."
V. 4195 of the Editor's transcript.
The poem was probably translated from the French
about the beginning of the 14th century. But as the
King of Northumberland is called Clarion, it may pos-
sibly refer to some other place, perhaps Northampton.
But in local investigations, romance-authority is cer-
tainly no authority at all.
Had it not been a false trait 'rous thief,
Who came King James s face before.
P. 32, 1. 590.
" The King, by the advice of this traitor, descended
from Lady kirk Bank into the flat ground, near the
Tweed, now called the Gin-haugh, whence with his
cannon he threw down the north-east corner of the
castle-wall, a large fragment of which now lies by the
side of the river. Bishop Tunstal, in Queen Elizabeth's
time, rebuilt the wall: this is now very distinguish-
able from the old work.
" A field, near the castle, in which this traitor was
hanged, is now called the Hangman's Land. The fact
is not mentioned by the historians. By the account
104 NOTES.
of it in the poem, we shall more readily understand
the following epigram of Sir Thomas More, Lord High
Chancellor in the time of Henry VIII.
" In Regan Scotice, qui arcem Norhamam prodiiam
sibi, tamen oppugnavit, dissimulans proditam esse*
Scote quid oppugnas Norhamam viribus Arcem
Ante libi falsa proditione datam?
Artibus ergo malis captafuit Arce voluptas
Magna tibi forsan, sed brevis illafuit.
Teque tuisque malay merita sed, morte peremptist
Arx intra est paucos, capta, recepta, dies*
Proditor inque tuo peter et cnmprecmia regno
Mors sceleri est merces reddita digna suo.
Proditor ut pereat pereat cut proditor hostis
Invicta in fatis arx habet ista suis.
" I take this to be the meaning of these two verses,
which are the most difficult : — * It was fated to this
invincible castle, that the betrayer of it should perish,
and likewise the enemy, by whom this traitor was ex-
ecuted.'
" There is a tradition here, that the King was told
where the castle-wajl was weakest, by a letter fixed
to an arrow, shot over the Tweed, into his camp."—
Lambe.
NOTES. 165
Saint Cuthbert* V 'banner for to bear. — P. 36. 1. 66s.
" St Cuthbert, according to the monkish writers,
was born of royal blood in Ireland ; but others say,
probably with more truth, in the north of England.
He was nominated the sixth Bishop of Holy Island by
King Egfrid. Overcome by many prayers and en-
treaties, he quitted his hermetical life in a desart
island, called Fame, situated in the German Ocean,
nine miles from Holy Island.
" In this island breeds a species of a large kind of
brown fowl, no where else to be found in Great Britain.
The feathers of them are very soft, and of great variety.
As soon as the young ducks are hatched, they run
with the old ones into- the sea, and never return
again ; but whither they go is not known.
" St Cuthbeit was consecrated at York, on Easter
Sunday, A. 684, by Theodore, Archbishop of Canter-
bury, in the presence of King Egfrid, many nobles,
and six bishops. He sate two years, when, growing
weary of his bishopric, he resigned it, and returnee! to
his hermitage at the Farne-Island, where, soon after,
he died, on the 20th day of March, 686.
" It hath been mentioned above, that St Cuthbert
was deposited at Norham. Whether he at last disli-
ICG NOTES.
ked his damp situation, for he was buried near a well
which now bears his name, or, whether, being only
seven miles from the sea, he began to fear another vi-
sit from his old foes the Danes, is not at present
known ; but this is certain, that he ordered his monks
to carry him twenty miles up the Tweed, to Melross
in Scotland. In process of time he quarrelled with
this place also ; upon which, by his direction, they
put him into a stone-boat,* in which he sailed down
the Tweed, to Tilmouth, where he landed. We can-
not find, after the most diligent enquiry, how long he
abode there.
" Not many years since, a farmer of Cornhill co-
veted the saint's boat, in order to keep pickled beef
in it. Before this profane loon could convey it away,
the saint came in the night-time, and broke it in pieces,
which now lie at St Cuthbert's chapel, to please the
curious, and confute the unbeliever.
* On the west side of Tilmouth chapel, on the banks of the
Tweed, is a remarkable curiosity ; a stone boat of as fine a
shape as a boat of wood, in which St Cuthbert is said by tra-
dition to have sailed down the Tw<»ed, from Melross to this
chapel. It is ten feet long within, three feet and a half in di-
ameter, in the middle eighteen inches deep, four inches and a
half thick. — Willis's History of Northumberland.
NOTES. 167
" St Cuthbert was carried on the shoulders of the
monks from Tilmouth into Yorkshire, then to Chester,
and thence to Durham, where, charmed with the de-
lightful situation thereof, he slept in peace for many
years.
" Aldwin, the 23d bishop of Holy Island, and the
first of Durham, erected a stone structure there, with
the help of Uthred, Earl of Northumberland, and of
all the dwellers between the rivers Coquet and Tees,
who were paid for their work with the promises of im-
mense rewards in another world. After their three
years incessant labour, the generous monks gave them
St Cuthbert's word for the payment of their heavenly
wages, with which undeniable security they departed,
well contented.
" Aldwin's church was dedicated September 4, A.
999> and the corpse of the saint placed therein, 312
years after its first interment in Holy Island. A hun-
dred and five years after this sepulture, the body of
St Cuthbert was carried round the present cathedral
church, in a procession of monks, with a numerous
train of attendants, and then deposited therein in a
fine sepulchre, September 4th, A. 1104, in the time
168 NOTES.
of Ralph Flamberg, who preached a sermon upon this
occasion.
" The feast of the translation of St Cuthbert's body
is celebrated, every year, in the county of Durham ;
and particularly, with great reverence, by the inhabi*
tants of Norham, on the first Sunday and Monday
after the 4th day of September, O. S.
" The monks frequently exhibited the body of this
saint, uncorrupted, fragrant, and flexible, to the com-
fort of many spectators of high and low rank." In this
state of incorruption it remains to this day.
" At the dissolution of the convents, the monks
buried him in a private place of the abbey church,
which none but three men know. When one of these
is upon his deathbed, he imparts this invaluable secret
to another faithful person ;
f Fabellam, moriens, Mi dat habere tacendam ;y
it being a very important affair to those, who expect
a day will come, when the adoration of this holy man
will be revived. I have heard from a Roman Catho-
lic, that the saint's grave is in the church, not far
from the clock.
NOTES. 169
- <? Some few years before the Reformation, a French
bishop, returning out of Scotland, came to the shrine
of St Cuthbert, where, kneeling down after his devo-
tions, he offered a bawbee, a Scotch halfpenny ; say-
ing, * Sancte Cuthberte, si sanctus sis, ora pro me !*
But afterwards, being brought to the tomb of Bede,
he likewise said his prayers, offering there a French
crown, with this alteration : ' Sancte Bede, quia Sanc-
tus es, ora pro me !'
" Soon after the battle of Nevil's Cross, A. 134fj,
John Fosser, prior of Durham, made a new banner,
and consecrated it to St Cuthbert. The staff of it was
five yards long, covered with pipes, surmounted with
a cross, under which was a rod as thick as a man's
ringer, fastened by the middle to the staff. At each
end of which was a wrought knob, and a little bell.
All these, except the staff, were of silver. The ban-
ner-cloth of red velvet, fastened to the rod, was a yard
broad, and one quarter deep : The bottom of it was
indented in five parts ; on both sides, it was embroi-
dered, and wrought with flowers of green silk and gold.
In the midst of it was a square half-yard of white vel-
vet, whereon was a cross of red velvet, on both sides
of the cloth. In it was enclosed that holy relique, the
170 NOTES.
corporax cloth, wherewith St Cuthbert covered the
chalice, when he said mass. The banner-cloth was
skirted with a fringe of red silk and gold ; and at the
bottom of it hung three silver bells.
" About seven hundred years ago, Edgar, Prince
of Scotland, in his way thither, dreamt at Durham,
that St Cuthbert, appearing to him, bade him take
courage, and assured him, that if he carried his ban-
ner along with him, his enemies should flee before,
and he should sit upon the throne of his ancestors.
Accordingly, the next morning, he obtained from the
monastery the saint's banner. In the mean time, King
Donald raised a huge army. As soon as the King's
soldiers discovered the holy banner, glittering on the
*ide of the Prince, they deserted. The King fled, and
was taken by the country people, and brought to the
Prince, who put him in prison, in which he died of
grief. The Prince ascribed his victory to the saint's
banner, and, as he could not do any less, he made a
present of the manor of Coldingham, with its appen-
dages, to the servants of this saint, the monks of Dur-
ham ; and to Ranulph, Bishop thereof, he gave the
town of Berwick.
NOTES. 171
" Richard de Lucy, and liis associate, Humphrey
de Bohun, took along with them the banner of King
Edmond the martyr, by whose assistance they over-
threw the Earl of Leicester's army, near Bury. King
Henry II., the ensuing year, went a pilgrimage to
Bury, and, at the shrine of St Edmund, made an ac-
knowledgment of his protection, and decent returns to
the abbots and monks of the convent.
" The banners of St Cuthbert, King James, and of
many Scotch noblemen, were brought from Floddon,
and set up in the feretory of St Cuthbert's, in the ca-
thedral of Durham, in which they remained till the
abbey was suppressed by King Henry, when it, toge-
ther with the exceedingly rich shrine of the saint, was
plundered of its furniture, gold, and jewels. The vi-
sitors found one stone there, of a sufficient value to
redeem a prince. King Richard I. gave to St Cuth-
bert his parliament robe of blue velvet, embroidered
with golden lions. Many other rich copes were also
bestowed upon him, of which several remain at this
time in the cathedral.
" Catherine, a French woman, the wife of Whit-
tingham, Dean of Durham, who died 15/9, burned
the fine banner of St Cuthbert. She also carried out
172 NOTES.
of the Century Garth, the blue marble stones, which
covered the graves of the priors, and placed them in
the threshold, pavements, and walls of a house which
she was building in the Bailey in Durham/' — Lam be.
Sir Marmaduke Constable. — P. 37. 1. 677.
The families of Constable take their surname from
the office of Constable of Chester, which their ances-
tors held. Soon after the conquest, Hugh Lupus,
being appointed Earl Palatine of Chester, created his
cousin Nigell Baron of Hauton, and ordained him
Constable of Chester. He was the son of Ivon, Vis-
count Constantine, in Normandy, by Emma, sister
to Adam, Earl of Britain; and from him the families
of Constable derive their origin. Sir Marmaduke
Constable of Flamburgh, in com. Ebor. knt. was born,
on the authority of his epitaph, in the year 1441. He had
four sons ; but how many of them attended him to the
field of Floddon, we are not able to determine. They
were all knighted ; the eldest, Sir Robert, on the 17th
of June, A.D. 1497, at the battle of Blackheath.
The others were, Sir Marmaduke, of Everingham ;
Sir William Constable, of Hatfield in Holderness, and
Sir John Constable of Kinalton. Sir Robert having
NOTES. IIS
"been active in the rising about religion, in 28 Henry
VIII., was pardoned, but being again implicated in
the revolt of Lord Hussey, and others, was attainted,
and executed at Hull. His son, Sir Marmaduke, at-
tended Henry VIII. to Terouenne, and was knighted
at Lisle the J.4th October.
For the epitaph of Sir Marmaduke, the elder, who
probably did not long outlive the glory he acquired at
Floddon, see the Appendix. *
Bryan Tunstal, that bold esquire.-—?. 39. 1. 724.
" Sir Bryan Tunstal being slain at Floddon-Field,
his effigy in full proportion, cut in stone, lies over his
body in the chancel of Tunstal church ; near which
is cut two cocks crowing, being his coat of arms. His
mansion-house, Thurland-castle, [Lancashire,] being
* It is a singular circumstance, that Marmaduke Maxwell
Constable, Esq, of Everingham and Nithsdale, is descended
from four of the chiefs, who were present at Floddon-Field.
He represents John, fourth Earl of Maxwell, Robert, Lord
Herries, both of whom fell in the battle, and Sir Marma-
duke Constable ; and is also a descendant of the family of
the Haggerstons, whose ancestor fought under the Earl of
Surrey.
174 NOTES.
moated round, with draw-bridges, is now [1774] the
property of Robert Welch, Esq., together with the ex-
tensive lordship and church-living/' — Benson.
" The descendants of Sir Brian are Roman Catho-
lics, of great property, seated at Wycliffe, near the
river Tees. Their coat of arms is Sable, 3 combs
Argent. Godwyn De Prcesulibus Anglice says, that
the first person of note of this name, was a barber to
William the Conqueror; and that, upon his being
raised to a better fortune, he, in memory .of his former
condition, took for his arms, S. 3 combs Argent. Ma-
ny bear in their arms a device, alluding to their pro-
fession. Thus, in the island of Fionia, belonging to
Denmark, the ancient family of Trool, which signifies
a sorcerer, bears a devil. Sable, upon a field Gules."
Lambe.*
His son Lord Admiral should be drowned. — P. 41. 1. frjO.
Thomas, eldest son of Thomas, Duke of Norfolk,
commanded one of the ships which captured the squa-
* The family of Tunstal is now represented by Mr Con-
stable of Burton, Constable in Holderness, representative of
the Viscounts of Dunbar in Scotland, to whose family the es-
tate of Wycliffe devolved of that late eminent antiquary, Mar-
maduke Tunstal, Esq.
NOTES. 175
dron of Andrew Barton, and accompanied the Mar-
quis of Dorset into Spain, to assist King Ferdinand.
Having succeeded his brother in the office of Lord
High Admiral, he very diligently scoured the seas,
and, before the battle of Floddon, landed five thou-
sand men in aid of his father. At the battle, he and
Lord Dacre effectually relieved the vanguard, under
the command of Lord Edmund. For these services,
he was created Earl of Surrey, the same day that
his father became Duke of Norfolk. In 1520, he
quelled a rebellion in Ireland, as Lord Deputy of that
kingdom. After performing numerous other mili-
tary exploits, his son fell a victim to the tyranny of
Henry VI1L, and had not the death of the King pre-
vented it, himself had shared the same fate.
Hot Pirate John, for all his power,
That great renowned Lothian knight,— P. 45. 1. 843.
*' John Barton, who, with his brothers, Robert and
Andrew, received letters of marque from James IV.,
in order to revenge the death of their father, Captain
John, who was killed by the Portuguese in the reign
of James III," — Lam be.
John Barton seems to have been the youngest of th«
three brothers, to whom reprisals against the Portu-
IT6 NOTES.
guese were granted by James IV. In November 1513
he sailed with a squadron for France, but, falling sick,
was landed at Kirkcudbright, and died there.
That prove I by my son Sir Edward.— F. 4>7. 1. 87£.
Sir Edward Howard, second son of the Earl of
Surrey, Lord Admiral of England, and not the mean-
est of the heroes who have adorned the naval history
of England. He scoured the channel, appeared be-
fore Brest harbour, with forty-two vessels, and chal-
lenged the French fleet to combat. But the latter
waited for reinforcements, which soon appeared, com-
manded by Prejeant de Bidoux. The gallant Admiral,
however, would not await the junction of the fleet, but
attacked it in Conquete harbour. He was the first
who boarded the Admiral's ship, having rowed up with
two gallies, filled with officers ; and was followed by
one Carroz, a Spanish cavalier, and seventeen Eng-
lishmen. The French meanwhile cut the cable ; and
Howard continuing to fight, was pushed overboard by
the pikes, and drowned. The fleet, upon his death,
returned to England.
Pat case our total English power, 8?c. — P. 50. 1. 9%9-
This stanza reminds us of a similar one, which de-
NOTES. 177
files the beautiful ancient romance of Amis and Ame-
lion, when two ladies are going to be committed to the
flames : —
" Icham comen hider today,
For to sauen him giue y may,
And bring hem out of bende ;
For certes it were michel vnright
To make a roste of leuedis bright,
Ywis ye eren vnkende. v. 1135, etse
At Boorth, where the raging Boar. — P. 5k 1. 1007.
Richard III. had .for his device a white boar, and
was often distinguished by this appellation.
Their mighty Mars, King Malchomy. — P. 56. \, 104$.
" Malcolm III. was killed, together with his son,
* at a place called Malcolm's Well, near Alnwick,
about the year 1092." — Lambe.
King David unto Durham came. — P. 56. 1. 1053.
" Many nobles of Scotland, and 15,000 men, were
slain in this battle, which was fought on St Luke's
day, A. 1346, in the time of Edward III. Part of
Nevil's cross, erected upon this occasion, is now
standing/' — La mbe.
Minot has a very spirited poem, how
" Sir David had of his men grete loss,
With Sir Edward at the IS evil's ross."
M
178 NOTES.
In battle, by Sir Henry Percy.—-?, 57. K 1064.
" In this battle, fought on Holyrood day, Septem-
ber 14, 1402, were slain twenty-seven Scotch knights,
and 10,000 men. Murdac, Earl of Fife, son to Ro-
bert Duke of Albany, Governor of Scotland ; Archi-
bald, Ear) of Douglas ; Thomas, Earl of Murray ;
George, Earl of Angus, and others, were taken prison-
ers, in a valley near Hamildon, by Henry, Lord Percy,
son to the Earl of Northumberland, and George Dun-
bar, Earl of March." — Lam be.
With pen I shall make true report. — P. 58. 1. 1 100.
" In this enumeration of the English officers, the
name of the eminent John Winschomb, commonly call-
ed Jack of Newbury, is omitted, who marched to the
Earl of Surrey with a hundred of his own men, all
armed and clothed at his expence. He was, in the
reign of Henry VIII., the greatest clothier in Eng-
land. He kept one hundred looms at work in his
house, which was to be seen a century ago ; but is
now divided into several tenements. He built the
church of Newbury, in Berkshire, which is a noble
edifice, or rather the west part of it, from the pulpit,
and also the tower."— -Lam be.
12
NOTES. 17»
Lord Ogle.— P. 59- 1. 1H5.
Ralphe, Lord Ogle, had summons to parliament in
1508 and 151 1, and marched in the van at the battle
of Floddon.
Lord Lomly.- P. 6l. 1. 1145.
John, Lord Lumley, fought at Floddon, and the year
following was summoned to Parliament.
Latimer.— P. 6l. 1. 1145.
Richard Nevil, Lord Latimer, succeeded his grand-
father in 9 Edward IV. He was one of the command-
ers against the Earl of Lincoln at Noke ; also under
the Earl of Surrey, at Norham castle ; and again, in
the battle of Floddon. He died in 1530.
Lord Coniers stout and stiff in stoure. — P. .61. ■
1. 1148.
William Coniers, Lord Coniers, succeeded his father
in 5 Henry VII. He was one of the commanders in
the army appointed to raise the siege of Norham-
castle ; and also at Floddon-Field. He died in 1524.
Mr Lambe introduces here, after an explanation of
the word stoure, a strange farrago of criticisms and ob-
180 NOTES.
servations, the mere catalogue of which will suffi-
ciently apologise for their omission in the present edi-
tion. He commences with a pious wish for a Scotch
dictionary; (and it were heartily to be wished Mr
Lam be had seen his wish so ably realized in the pre-
sent day ;) then follow observations from classical au-
thors ; then criticisms upon Shakespeare ; then again
remarks on classical lore ; on Robin Hood ; and,
finally, a severe analysis of Pope's version of Homer,
undoubtedly very just, but, like the rest of this olio,
not in the least conducive to those historical and ex-
planatory elucidations, which it is the chief duty of an
editor to annex to works like the present.
Lord Scroop o/Upsal. — P. 62. 1. 1158.
Ralph Scroop, Earl of Upsal, died 1515.
Sir Christopher Ward.— P. 62. 1. 11 65.
Sir Christopher Ward, of Gryndall, in Yorkshire
was standard-bearer to Henry VIII., at the siege of
Rouen. See Fuller's Worthies in Com. Ebor,
Sir Metham, Sidney, Averingham. — P. 62. 1. 1168.
Sir Thomas Metham of Metham, knight. Sir Wil-
NOTES. 181
liam Sidney of Penshurst, in Kent, knight. Sir John
Everingham, knight.
Sir Edmund.—P. 63. 1. 1183.
Edmund, third son of the Duke of Norfolk, led the
van in the battle of Fioddon-Field ; and though he be-
haved himself very gallantly, he was defeated by the
Scots. He was at the time a knight, and marshal of
his host. His second daughter was Catharine, fifth
wife of King Henry VIII.
Most fierce he fought at Thallian Field. — P. 65.
1. 1221.
" I do not know what is meant by Thallian Field. I
take the author to have been a Yorkshire schoolmaster;
(Vid. Sir Edward Stanley's Speech.) Having his
head perhaps full of rhetorical figures, he uses the word
Thallian for Thessalian, per Syncopen, alluding to the
plains of Thessaly, where a battle was fought, in the
Roman civil wars, between Caesar and Pompey." —
Lambe.
The reason why I cannot accede to Mr Lambe's hy-
pothesis of the schoolmaster, has been stated above.
Thallian is perhaps a corruption, or, what is still
more probable, a local appellation now lost.
182 NOTES.
Martin Swart. — P. 65, 1. 1222.
" Martin Swart, a German colonel, and others
under the command of John, Earl of Lincoln, were de-
feated by Henry VII., at a place called Noke, about
three miles from Newark/'—- Lambe.
Swart (probably a corruption of Schwartz, a com-
mon name of the Germans,) seems to have had great
celebrity, as his memory was transmitted by popular
songs among the multitude.
Thus, in the interlude " The longer thou livest, the
more fool thou art" among other scraps of songs
which Moros sings, is the following :
" Maitin Swart and his man, sodledum, sodledum,
Martin Swart and his man, sodledum bell."
And, in a poem of Skelton, " Against a comely Coy-
strowne," &c. the same song is alluded to :
" With hey holy lo, whip thee Jack,
Alumbek, sodyldym, syllorymben,
Curiowsly he can both counter and knak
Of Martin Swart, and all his mery men."
See Ritson's Ancient Songs, Dissertation, p. lxi.
NOTES. 183
Next went Sir Bold.— P. 65. 1. 1229.
Sir Richard Bold of Bold married the daughter of
Sir Thomas Gerard, who brought considerable suc-
cours of his tenants and archers out of Brindall, in
Lancashire, to the assistance of the Earl of Surrey.
He behaved with great gallantry at Floddon ; and to
the Lancastrian archers the fame of the victory is ge-
nerally ascribed. He seems inadvertently omitted in
this numerous catalogue of English knights.
And Butler brave. — P. 65. 1. 1229.
Sir Thomas Butler of Beausey, in the county of
Lancaster, knight.
Then Barkerton bold, and By god grave.-—'?. 65.
1. 1231.
Ralph Bruerton. John Bigod.
With Warcop wild.— P. 65. 1. 1232.
Robert Warcop.
Next Richard Chomley.—V. 65. 1. 1233.
Richard Cholmondeley of Cholmondeley, in Che-
shire, knight, was knighted in 12 Henry VII., for his
184 NOTES.
services against Perkin Warbeck ; and, at the battle
of Floddon, commanded the forces of the town of
Kingston upon Hull. For his achievements in this vic-
tory he was made lieutenant of the Tower of London
He died in the year 1521.
Lawrence of Dun, — P. 65. 1. 1235.
John Lawrence of Dun.
With Stapylton.—V. 66. 1. 1238.
Brian Stapleton, Esq.
Next whom Fitzwilliam. — P. 66. 1. 1239.
Sir Thomas Fitzwilliam of Aldwark, com. Eborac.
Sir John Kadcliffe.—P. 68. 1. 1279-
John Radcliffe of RadclirTe, Lancashire.
Sir William Gascoin grave. — P. 68. 1. 1280.
Sir William Gascoign of Lasingcroft.
The next went Sir John Maundevill. — P. 68. 1. 1291.
Some of the copies read John Maundevill, and some
John Normanville. The latter is undoubtedly right,
as the name occurs in Halle's Catalogue.
NOTES. 185
Then Richard Tempest.— P. 69. 1. 1299-
Sir Richard Tempest was, in 15 13, one of the squires
of the king's body.
And whereas the castle of Ford. — P. 72. I. 1377*
" There is a tradition here, [at Norham,] that
King James, returning from a visit to Mrs Heron,
at Ford-castle, found himself in danger of drown-
ing, in his passage through the Tweed, near Nor-
ham, at the west ford, which is pretty deep on the
Scotch side. Upon which, he made a vow to the Vir-
gin Mary, that, if she would carry him safe to land,
he would erect and dedicate a church to her upon the
banks of the Tweed ; which he performed in the jubi-
lee year, A. 1500, according to an old inscription on
the church, mostly now defaced.
" This Gothic structure is much admired. It is en-
tirely of stone ; the roof of it rests upon, what the ma-
sons call here, point-cast arches, which are supported
by nineteen buttresses/' — Lam be.
" Ford-castle, in Glyndale, upon the east side of
Tille. It is metly stronge, but in decay."— Lel. Hist.
v. 7. p. 54.
186 NOTES.
It appears froip Madox's Exch. p. 647, that Sir
William Heron built the castle in the year 1227, the
estate having come into his family by an intermar-
riage with the heiress of Ford, who derived her descent
from O'Donnel de Ford, who was seised of it in the
reign of Henry I. This Sir William was governor of the
castles of Bamborough, Pickering, and Scarborough ;
Lord Warden of the forest north of Trent, and Sheriff
for Northumberland, for eleven successive years. In
the year 1385, the Scotch, under the Earls of Fife,
March, and Douglas, making an inroad, destroyed the
castles of Ford, Wark, and Cornhill.
Sir William Heron succeeded his brother John in the
year 1498, being 20 years old. He was High-sheriff of
Northumberland in the year 1526, and died the 8th of
July, 1535* He was twice married. By Elizabeth, his
first wife, he had a son, William, who died before him ;
by the second, Agnes, he had no issue. It is uncertain
which of these two was the redoubted Lady of Ford.
Halle mentions the former. It is still more uncertain
who was the daughter, who is said to have captivated
Wallis says, the 28th of June, 1536.
NOTES. 18T
the Archbishop of St Andrews. In the genealogical
table of the house of Heron no daughter appears ; and
William, the son, cannot well be supposed to have
been married at that time. His wife, Margaret, after
his death, espoused John Heron of Thornton, and sub-
sequently Sir George Heron of Chipchase ; and was
still living the 27th July, 1596. By her first husband
she had a daughter, Elizabeth, who inherited the
castles and manors of Ford, Eshet, and Simonburn ;
and who married Thomas Carr, Esq. of Etall.
Ford-castle was the great barrier for the east march
against Scotland. In a survey of the Borders in 1542,
we have the following account of it : — " The castell
of Forde, standinge lykewyse upon the est syde of the
said ryver of Tyll, was brunte by the last kinge of
Scots, a lytle before he was slayne at Flodden-Felde.
Some part thereof hathe bene reparetted againe
sythence that tyme; but the great buyldings, and
most necessarye houses, resteth ever sythens waste and
in decaye ; the which, if they were repared, were able
to receyve and lodge ane hundreth and mo horsemen,
to lye there in garrison in tyme of warre. And, for
that purpose, that is a place much convenient, and
standeth well for servyce to be done at any place with-
188 NOTES.
in the said est march ; and ys of th* inherytaunce of
SirWilliam Heron's heyres." — Cotton MSS. Caligula,
B. VIII. f. 63. f. 72. of the MS.
Previous to the battle of Floddon, the castle was as-
saulted and taken. In 1549, tne Scots, under D'Esse,
a French general, laid the greater part in ashes, but
were unable to reduce one of the towers, which was
gallantly defended by Thomas Carr.— Wallis' and
Hutchison's Histories of Northumberland. Genea-
logical Table of the Family of Heron, 179Y,fol. Ge-
nealogical History of the Ancient Family of Heron,
London, 1803, teo.
Lord Johnston. — P. 73. 1. 1389.
James Johnston, lord of that ilk, succeeded his fa-
ther in 1509, was in high favour with James IV. and
V., and died 1528, or 1529.
Even on the height of Floddon- Hill.— P. 85. 1. 1617.
" The eminence, called Floddon, lies near the river
Till. It is the last and lowest of those hills, that ex-
tend on the north-east of the great mountain of Che-
viot, towards the low ground on the side of the Tweed,
NOTES. 189
from which river Floddon is distant about four miles.
The ascent to the top of it, from the side of the river
Till, where it takes a northerly direction, just by the
foot of the declivity on which the castle and -village of
Ford stand, is about half a mile ; and over the Till, at
that place, there is a bridge. On the south of Flod-
don lies the extensive and very level plain of Millfield,
having on its west side high hills, the branches of the
Cheviot ; on the north, Floddon, and other moderate
eminences adjoining to it ; on the south and east, a
tract of rising grounds, nigh the foot of which is the
slow and winding course of the Till. The nearest ap-
proach for the English army to Floddon was through
this plain, in every part whereof they would have been
in full view of the Scots, where they had a great ad-
vantage in possessing an eminence, which, on the side
towards the English, had a long declivity, with hollow
and marshy grounds at its foot, while its crown con-
tained such an extent of almost level ground, as would
have sufficed for drawing up, in good order, the forces
that occupied it. Surrey encamped on Wooler-haugh,
on the 7th September/' — W. Hutchinson, North-
umberland, Anno 1776, Newcastle^ 1778.
190 NOTES.
On Monday the 5th September, he had lodged at
the village of Bolton, a small village in the vale of
Whittingham, on the north side of the Till, where all
the noblemen and gentlemen met him with their reti-
nues, to the number of twenty-six thousand men.—
Wallis.
Bastard Hear on is my name. — P. 89. 1. 1700.
John Heron, the bastard, was son of John Heron of
Ford, by a concubine. Having, in an affray at a bor-
der-meeting, unfortunately killed Sir Robert Ker,
warden of the middle-marches, butler to James IV.,
and a great favourite with the King, he was outlawed
in both kingdoms. Henry VII., to appease his son-in-
law, delivered Sir William Heron to James, who kept
him a prisoner in Fast-Castle-Tower, in the Mers,
on a rock above the Firth of Forth, until the battle of
Floddon-Field. In the first onset of the battle, the
right wing of the English army was defeated, and Sir
Edmund Howard, who commanded it, being left alone
on the ground, the Bastard, at the head of a troop of
horse he had disciplined in the Cheviot mountains,
threw himself between the two armies, and engaged
the enemy until the English rallied. Some accounts
NOTES. 191
join Lord Dacre with the Bastard in this action ; but
Halle, an author of great authority, says in his Chro-
nicle, " that Heron, the bastard, though much
wounded, rescued Sir Edmund ; and that Lord Dacre,
wyth hys company, stode styl al daye unfoughten
withall." * The Bastard, who was a famous warrior
in those days, was afterwards killed, as some authors
report, in4an engagement on the Borders. He must
have been older than his brothers ; for, on the death
of Sir Ralph Grey, the 4th April, 1506, Johis Heron
Bastardus was found to be seised of the manors of
Chiltingham, Howick, &c. &c. as surviving feoffee, in
trust for Lady Grey for life. It is therefore probable,
the Bastard was born before his father's marriage.
Thomas, son and heir of Sir Ralph, was then four years
old. — Genealogical History of the Family of Heron,
London, 1803, 4<to.
The army lodged at Barmoor wood. — P. 94. 1. 1792.
Barmore was the villa of the family of Muschampe
in 1 Edward I., in 10 Elizabeth, and in 20 James I.
* This is, however, disproved by Dacre's letter printed in
Pinkerton's History, and by the original Gazette of the Lord
Admiral.
i92 NOTES.
At this village, in 1418, the lords marchers of the
northern counties were assembled with 100,000 men
against the Scots, who retreated upon the report
of such a mighty army. Lord Howard and his son
lodged at Barmore wood the night after the battle of
Floddon. — Wallis.
And at Milfield.—¥ '. 94. 1. 1800.
Milfield, a small village where the Saxon kings of
Berenicia, after the death of King Edwin, sometimes
resided ; on the south side of which is a spacious and
beautiful plain, formerly overgrown with broom, fa-
mous for the defeat of a large party of Scots, before
the battle of Brankston, [Floddon,] by Sir William
Bulmer of Bramspeth Castle, who commanded the
forces of the bishoprick of Durham. The Scots had
concealed themselves among the broom ; five or six
thousand of them were killed, and four hundred taken
prisoners. They afterwards called the road through
the plain,* Theillroad.-r-Hoi.Chron. Wallis. See
the Second Fit.
* More probably the raid, or incursion, was thus called*
NOTES. 193
Sir Malkin Keen.— P. 106\ 1. 2024.
Called, in the French Gazette, Illackeen.
Where David Hume down dead layjlung. — P. 108.
1. 2064.
Perhaps David, brother to Lord Home, and Prior
of Coldingham.
The one Craufford called, the other Montross. — P. 108.
1- 2073.
John Lindsay, fifth earl of Crawfurd, succeeded his
father in 1494. He was a man of great courage
and resolution, and was among the slain at Floddon-
Field.
William, Lord Graham, afterwards Earl of Mon-
trose, which title he obtained from James IV. in 1504.
He had commanded the army of James III. against
the rebels, and also lost his life at Floddon.
And mitred prelates. — P. 109. 1. 2092.
George Hepburn, Bishop of the Isles. Bishop of
Caithness.
194 NOTES.
With the Earl of Catness and Castell. — P. 109.
1. 2093.
William, second earl of Caithness, succeeded his fa-
ther in 1480, and was killed at Floddon. David,
third lord Kennedy, and created, in 1509, or 1510,
Earl of Cassilis by James IV., and was also one of his
privy council. He lost his life at Floddon. ,
In the notes on Mr Leyden's ode on visiting Flod-
don, the following curious anecdote is preserved : —
11 Under the vigorous administration of James IV.,
the young Earl of Caithness had incurred the penalty
of outlawry and forfeiture, for revenging an ancient
feud. On the evening preceding the battle of Flodden,
accompanied by three hundred young warriors, array-
ed in green, he presented himself before the King, and
submitted to his mercy. This mark of attachment
was "so agreeable to the warlike prince, that he grant-
ed an immunity to the Earl and his followers. The
parchment, on which this immunity was inscribed, is
said to be still preserved in the archives of the earls
of Caithness, and is marked with the drum-strings, ha-
ving been cut out of a drum-head, as no other parch-
ment could be found in the army. The Earl and his
gallant band perished to a man in the battle of Flod-
NOTES. 195
den ; since which period, it has been reckoned unlucky
in Caithness to wear green, or cross the Ord on a Mon-
day, the day of the week on which the chieftain ad-
vanced into Sutherland/' — Minst. of the Border, vol. i.
p. 290.
The Earl of Morton and of Marr.—V. 109- 1. 2094.
John Douglas, second Earl of Morton. Robert Ers-
kine, Earl of Marr, fell at Floddon-field.
With Arell, Adell, and Athell.—?. 109. 1. 2095.
William Hay, fifth Earl of Errol, accompanied
James IV. with a great many of his friends, and
most of the gentlemen of his name, to Floddon-Field,
where they all lost their lives.
John Stewart, second Earl of Athole, succeeded his
father, 1512, and was also killed at Floddon. Adell
is probably only a repetition of Athole.
OfBothwell bold, and ofGlenJcar.—P. 109. 1. 209$.
Patrick Hepburn, third Lord Hales, was one of the
ringleaders of the rebellion, which proved fatal to
James III. Upon the accession of James IV., he was
prime minister ; and, in 1488, was created Earl of
11)6 NOTES.
Both well. Shortly after, he was made hereditary
Lord High Admiral of Scotland. He fell at Floddon-
Field.
Cuthbert Cunningham, third Earl of Glencairn, was,
in 1509, of the privy council.
Lord Lovat.—P. 110. 1. 2097.
Thomas Fraser, third Lord Lovat, a man of great
courage and spirit, was appointed by James IV. his
justiciary in the north, and died 1530.
So Clueston, Inderby, and Ross. — P. 110. 1. 2098.
Sir Patrick Houston of Houston.
Thomas Stewart, Lord Innermarth, fell at Floddon,
as well as the following.
Sir John Ross of Halkhead, who was created Lord
Ross of Halkhead in the beginning of the reign of James
IV., and was a man of great courage and intrepidity.
With Borthwick, Bargeny, and Forbes. — P. 110.
1. 2100.
William Borthwick, third Lord Borthwick, was ap-
pointed, by James IV., magister hospitii.
John, Lord Forbes, died in the year 1547.
NOTES. 187
Lord Arskill, Sentclear, and Simpell. — P. 110.
1.2101.
Robert, Lord Erskine, has already occurred under
the title of Earl of Mar.
Henry Sinclair, created Lord Sinclair, obtained a
lease of the lands and lordships of Orkney and Shet-
land, and was made justiciary and keeper of the castle
of Kirkwall, for the payment of five hundred and
fifty merks annually. He was killed in the field of
Floddon.
Sir John Semple, eighth Baron of Eliotstoun, was
created in 1488 Lord Semple. He was also slain in
this battle.
Cowell, Kay, and Caddie Hume. — P. 110. 1. 2104.
Mr Cowel, Clerk of the Chancery, named in the
Gazette, Le Sr. de Colwyn.
Sir Cuthbert Hume of Fastcastle. ,
Haburn — P. 111.1. 2129-
Habert, (Lambe has Herbert) should be Hepburn.
198 NOTES.
The Earl of Huntley.—?. 114. 1. 2187.
Alexander, third Earl of Huntley, was one of the
guarantees of a treaty of peace with England in 1509.
At the battle of Floddon, he gave his opinion against
fighting; but seeing his King determined to risk the en-
gagement, he behaved with uncommon gallantry ; and,
with the right wing, which he commanded, drove all
before him ; but the main body, and left wing, being
defeated, he was forced to make his retreat in the even-
ing with great difficulty. He was appointed, in the mi-
nority of James V., lieutenant of the north, and join-
ed in commission with the Earls of Angus, Arran, and
Argyle, as governors of the young King. He died
A. 1523.
Through the liberality of George Chalmers, Esq. I
have been enabled to adorn the present edition with a
delineation of the standard of this valiant Earl ; and to
this obligation he has added another, by annexing
the following very satisfactory account of the history
of the standard, and exposition of the motto : —
" The Earl of Huntley gallantly attempted to re-
store the battle. In doing this, Sir William Molyneux
of Seftonhall, in Cheshire, the progenitor of the Earl
of Sefton, took Huntley's standard, or pennon, which
pJQS.
«///„ /L/// </ > y'/t'M'y /.J/';
_Pt,rJ> fashed tj/^4- Constant* v- C
NOTES. 199
he hung up as a trophy in Sefton-hall, where it re-
mained till the reign of Elizabeth, when the heralds
went there to make' their usual visitation. The he-
ralds then and there made a drawing of this pennon,
which remains now in the Heralds' College, whence I
obtained the inclosed copy. As for the exposition,
the figures plainly represent the Earl of Huntley's ar-
morial coat, in that age. As to the Mot. Clae tot,
the transverse line over the ae denotes the m abstract-
ed ; then we have Clame tot. Menage will help us to
the old French verb, darner, signifying appeler, * to call,
to call aloud those who ought to appear/ In Kelham,
we have the word tot, ' all/ The motto then is, Call
all, Let all repair to this pennon/'
Earl of Lennox and Argile. — P. 114. 1. 2188.
Matthew, second Earl of Lennox, a man of great
spirit, was slain at FJoddon.
Archibald, second Earl of Argyle, was appointed
Chancellor of Scotland in 1494, Chamberlain in 1495,
and Master of the Household in 1498. At Floddon-
Field he commanded the van, behaved with great in-
trepidity, and was killed.
200 NOTES.
His captains keen failed at his feet,
And standard-bearer down was slain.
P. 117. 1.2247.
u The Scots cast themselves into a ring, who were
all slain with the King, except Sir William Scot, his
Chancellor, and Sir John Forbes, his Serjeant-porter,
who were taken prisoners, and with great difficulty
escaped. The battle lasted three hours." — Lam be.
Among the numerous instances of the melancholy
effects of this destructive battle, the following is select-
ed as one of the most striking : —
" In the reign of James IV. of Scotland, Andrew
Pitcairn of Pitcairn, with his seven sons, went to the bat-
tle of Flouden, where they were all killed. The widow,
who was left pregnant at home, was delivered of a post-
humous son,who continued the family. But, by the hard-
ships of the times, they were both turned out of possession.
Dr Archibald, the celebrated poet and physician, had,
amongst the charters of the family, one from James V.,
restoring the widow to her jointure, and the heir to
his estate, with this honourable mention, that his fa-
ther, with seven sons, had died on Flouden-Field, fight-
ing valiantly for his royal father." — General Dictio-
nary, Historical and Critical, London, 1739, foL
NOTES. 201
JFter.— P. 118.1. 2254.
" Fair perhaps should be Ker." — Lam be.
And last of all among the lave. — P. 118. 1. 2257.
Among the numerous sons of nobles, who fell at
Floddon-Field, were the two eldest of William, Earl of
Marishall. It is doubtful whether the Earl himself
was present. He lived several years after the battle ;
and, as he would no doubt have been in the division
commanded by the King, his life, like that of so many-
other chiefs, would probably have been sacrificed. On
the other hand, he is mentioned by Pitscottie, in the
debates of the lords of the council, previous to the
battle, and by them nominated one of the command-
ers of the northern forces.
The standard of the Earl, a copy of which will be
found in the present Work, would at all events have
accompanied his forces, whether led by him in person,
or by the Master of Marishall, Robert Lord Keith,
who, with his brother William de Keith, fell in the
battle. The manner in which the banner-roll was
preserved, renders this singular curiosity doubly re-
markable. It appears, that the standard-bearer of the
Earl was denominated Black John Skirvins of Plew-
land-hill. He had, besides the latter estate, which is
202 NOTES.
situated in the parish of Humbie, East-Lothian, and im-
mediately adjoins the lands of Keith Marishall, four
acres for carrying the standard of the Earl. Seeing
the ruinous termination of the battle, he tore the ban-
ner-roll off the flagstaff, and concealed it about his
body, previous to surrendering himself prisoner. Be-
ing, after several years, released, he found his estates
in the possession of another ; but, upon application
being made, he got them restored. The estate, and
with it the singular relic, remained in the family for se-
veral ages. The former was sold about forty years
ago, while the latter was carefully preserved, and has
lately been presented to the Advocates' Library by Mr
William Skirving of Edinburgh, the last surviving de-
scendant of the gallant standard-bearer.
The arms and motto (Veritas Vincit) are those of
the family of Keith Marishall.
The carcase of the King himself.— P. 119- h 2277-
i% The next day after the battle, the body of King
James was found. He had received many wounds,
most of them mortal. He was wounded in diverse
places with arrows, his neck was opened to the middle,
and his left hand, in two places, almost cut off, so that
NOTES. 203
it scarcely hung to his arm. A great number of noble-
men lay dead around the King, whose body, though
much defaced, was known at the first sight, by some
private marks, by Lord Dacres, Sir William Scot,
Sir John Forman, and other Scottish prisoners."—
Lambe.
Great store of guns and warlike gear. — P. lip.
1. 2285.
" The Scots had twenty-two large brass cannon, and
particularly seven of a very wide bore, all of the same
size and make, called The Seven Sisters, which the
Earl of Surrey sent down to Berwick." — Lambe.
The following account of the artillery taken from
the Scots, is probably the most accurate, as it is that
of the original Gazette, printed by Pinkerton from a
MS. in the Heralds' College, London : —
" Le nombre de Vartillerie, que le Roy d'Escosse
perdit a lajournee de Brankston, le ix* jour de Sep-
tembre.
Item, — cinq, groux courtaulx.
Item, — deux colorynes.
201 NOTES.
Item, — quatre sacre de la mesme grandeur, qui
estoient an devant du navyre appelle la Rozc
Gallee.
Item, — six serpentynes plus grandes, et plus
longues, que serpentyne que le B,oy nre Sr. a.
En tout la quantlti de xvii pieces.
Lesquelles sont le phis cleres, et les plus neetes, et les
myeulx fassonees, et avec les moindres pertuys a la
touche ou V on met lefeu, et les plus belles de leur gran-
deur et longueur que jai viz oncques ; et les d'cour-
taulx sont desfort bonne taille, et neetes"
The artillery was conveyed to Etall, a castle held
by the ancient family of Manners, ancestors of the
Dukes of Rutland. It was built in the year 1341.
This field was fought in September,
In Chronicles as may be seen;
In the year of God, as I remember,
One thousand five hundred and thirteen,
P. 120. 1. 2297, &c.
" The King's body was brought to Berwick, and
there embowelled, embalmed, and cered and closed in
lead, and secretly, amongst other things, conveyed to
NOTES. $05
Newcastle ; thence it was carried to London, and by
the general presented to Queen Catharine at Rich-
mond, who, with the gauntlet of King James, sent the
news of the victory unto King Henry, lying at the
siege before the town of Tervvin. From Richmond,
the body of the King was brought unto the adjoining
monastery of Sheen.
" I am much obliged to Captain Grose for a draught
of the sword and dagger of King James, taken from
the originals, now in the possession of the Corporation
of Heralds, to whom they were given by the Earl of
Surrey.
" The length of the sword, with the handle, is
three feet live inches ; the handle is eight inches long ;
the dagger, with the hilt, is one foot eight inches long;
the hilt is nearly as long as that of the sword ; their
breadth is in the same proportion, as it is represented
in the Plate. There appears to have been an inscrip-
tion in the middle channel of the sword, which now is
not legible."— Lam be.
The following anecdote respecting the body of the
unfortunate King, is preserved in Stow's Survey of
London, 4to, p. 539 >—
206 NOTES.
" After the battle, the bodie of the same King
being found, was closed in lead, and conveyed from
thence to London, and to the monasterie of Sheyne,
in Surry, where it remained for a time, in what order
I am not certaine ; but, since the dissolution of that
house, in the reygne of Edward the Sixt, Henry Gray,
Duke of Suffolke, being lodged, and keeping house
there, I have been shewed the same bodie so lapped in
lead, close to the head and bodie, throwne into a waste
room amongst the old timber, lead, and other rubble.
Since the which time, workmen there, for their foolish
pleasure, hewed off his head ; and Lancelot Young,
master glazier to Queen Elizabeth, feelinge a sweet sa-
vour to come from thence, and seeing this same dried
from all moisture, and yet the form remaining, with
the haire of the head and beard red, brought it to Lon-
don, to his house in Wood-street, where, for a time, he
kept it for its sweetness, but in the end caused the sex-
ton of that church [St Michael's, Wood-street] to bury
it amongst other bones taken out of their charnell."
Notwithstanding the earnest remonstrances of Leo
X., requesting Henry VIII. to allow the body of James
to be buried with royal honours, in the cathedral of St
Paul's, by the bishop of London ; the irritated tyrant
NOTES. 207
remained inflexible; and the subsequent disgrace of the
royal remains, which are related in the above extract
from Stow, are probably too true. The curious let-
ter of Leo X. will be found in the Appendix,
" On Tuesday, September 9, 1513, 5 Henry VIII.,
in Crookham West-field, belonging to John Askew of
Palinsburn, Esq. this battle was ended ; in memory
whereof, a stone, which now stands there, was erect-
ed."— Lam be.
" About two miles south of Cornhill, in Brankston
Westfield, is a large upright pillar of whinstone, six feet
seven inches high, in memory of Floddon-Field."—
Wallis' History of Northumberland.
" In the time of the battle, the thieves of Tynedale
and Tiviotdale were not idle. They rifled the English
tents, and took away many horses, and other things."
—Ibid.
" King James was killed in the twenty-fifth year of
his reign, and the thirty-ninth of his age. He was of
a majestic countenance, of a middle size, and a strong
body. By the use of exercise, a slender diet, and
much watching, he could easily bear the extremities
208 NOTES.
of weather, fatigue, and scarcity. He excelled in fen-
cing, shooting, and riding. He delighted in fine horses,
the breed of which he endeavoured to propagate in his
own country, as it appears from several letters still ex-
tant, which he wrote to the kings of Spain and Portu-
gal, entreating them, that they would suffer his servants
to buy such horses and mares as their respective domi-
nions afforded. In return, he made them presents of
hunting clogs, and of the famous little ambling horses,
called galloways, bred in the mountains and isles of
Scotland. About the year 1508, the Lord Campvere
sent him many large Flanders horses ; and also Henry
VII. several fine horses and rich furniture. He was of
a quick wit, which, by the negligence of those times,
was uncultivated with letters. He had great skill in
the art of curing wounds, which was then common to
the Scotch nobles, always in arms.* He was of a high
spirit, of easy access, courteous, and mild ; just in his
juridical decisions, merciful in his punishments, which
* Pitscottie informs us, that " this noble King James IV.
was well learned in art of medicine, and also a cunning chirur-
geoner, that none in his realm, that used that craft, but would
take his counsel in all their proceedings."
NOTES. 209
lie inflicted upon offenders always unwillingly. He was
poor, from his profusion in sumptuous buildings, pub-
lie shows, entertainments, and gifts.
" As long as he lived, he wore an iron chain girdle,
to which he every year added one link, in testimony
of his sorrow for his having appeared at the head of the
rebels, who killed his father James III., A. 1488, con-
trary to his express orders. Bishop Lesly concludes
the life written by him of James, with telling us,, that
the Scotch nation lost in him a king, most warlike,
just, and holy. Certain it is, that he was so dear to
his subjects, that his death was more lamented than
that of any of his predecessors ever was. The following
epitapn was made upon him : —
" Fama orbem replet, mortem sors occulit ; at tu
Desine scrutari quod tegit ossa solum.
Si mihi dent animo non imparKfata, sepulcrum,
Augusta est tumulo terra Britanna meo?
Lambe.
With the following extract, from Lord Hales's Re-
marks on the History of Scotland, I shall conclude these
historical notes ; as it in some measure points out the
o
210 NOTES.
effects which the intelligence of James's death produ-
ced in his capital : —
" The battle of Floudden was fought on the 9th
September, 1513. The report of the disaster of that
day appears to have reached Edinburgh on the 10th.
The report gave rise to a proclamation by the magis-
trates of Edinburgh. It is curious and interesting, and
runs thus :—
' The x. day of September, we do you to witt, for
sa mekill as, thair is ane greit rumber now laitlie rysin
within this toun, tueching our Soverane Lord and his
army, of the quilk we understand thair is cumin na ve-
»tie as yet, quhairfore we charge1 straitlie, and com-
mandis, in our Soverane Lord the Kingis name, and
the Presidents for the Provest and Baillies * within this
burch, that all maner of personis, nyhbours, within the
samen, have reddy their fensabill geir and wapponis for
weir, and compeir thairwith to the said Presidents, at
* On the 19th of August, 1513, the Provost, Baillies, and
community, in respect that they were to pass to the army,
*' chose, and left behind thame, George of Touris, President,
for the Provost, and [four other persons,] for the Baillies, till
have full jurisdiction in their absence." — Register of the City
of Edinburgh.
18
NOTTS. 211
jowing of the comoun bell, for the keeping and defens
of the toun against thame that wald invade the samyn.
' And also chairgis, that all Women, and specialie
vagabounds, that thai pass to thair labours, and be not
sene upoun the gait, clamourand and cryand, under
the pane of banesing of thair persons but favors ; and
that the other women of gude, pass to the kirk and pray,
quhane time requires, for our Soverane Lord and his
army, and nyebouris being thairat, and hald thame at
their privie labors off the gaitt within thair houses, as
affeirs.'
" The magistrates of Edinburgh, when they issued
this proclamation, must have been convinced, that all
was lost, and yet their orders are accurate and firm,
without that pomp of words, which by studying to con-
ceal fear betrays it. May this compilation contribute
to preserve the memory of George of Towris and his
gallant associates."-— Remarks on the History of Scot-
land, by Sir David Daluymple, [Lord Hales.]
Edinburgh, 1773*
In the Appendix will be found the narrations of the
battle, extracted from two of the most authentic Chro-
nicles of the two nations, Halle, and Lindesay of I?it-
scottie.
VARIOUS READINGS.
C 215 ]
VARIOUS READINGS.
L. Lambe's edition.— B. Benson' s. — l66b, the edition
of that year.
FIT FIRST.
V. 5 A fearful field in verse I'll frame,
If you'll be pleased to understand,
O Flodden-mount, thy wonderous name
Doth sore affright my trembling hand. L. B.
9 Thou god of War ! L. B.
13 This stanza is not found in Lambe's edition.
26 Great Howard's deeds, who did excell,
Though lovely print make no report,
Fame would not fail the same to tell. L. B,
216 VARIOUS READINGS.
29 Or thou, O Stanley, wondrous man !
Thou son of Mars, who can proclaim
Thy matchless deeds ? Tell me, who can
Paint thy just praise on wings of fame ? L. B,
44 A fine and lucky end. L. B.
4p He knew that English kings they fought,
And by what might they were controuled,
Much more he in their absence thought
What damage had been done of old. L.
In Benson's edition, this stanza is misplaced after
v. 72,
55 He left his realm unto his queen
To be ruled as there was need. L. B.
Q3 And thou, quoth he, Almighty Lord,
Let him a death most shameful die, L.
98 Such sad untimely fate. L. B.
102 In musters fair and brave elect. L. B.
111 Speech. L. — And tell him with what speed he
could. B.
112 If Scots meant any business. 1664.
115 He knew of it. L. B.
118 Nimbly was flown. L. B.
120 All abroad. L. B.
VARIOUS READINGS. 2U
124 To eompliance. B. — To complaisance. L.
142 That England, when this age is past,
As to our elders they have done,
Should homage do to us at last. L. B.
149 No doubt you need. L.
160 And rate do you, &c. 1664. A word is
here erased.
l66 Chosen the French king. L. B.
l6s Spring. L. B.
173 You know what hurt. L. B.
185 For England's king. L. B.
197 Dallamount. L. 1664.
198 Benson has printed " Bod ward " as a proper
name.
204 With one that is called Herbert. L. — The Lord
Herbert. B.
205 There is an earl, of ancient race,
Plumed up in proud and rich array,
His banner casts a glittering grace,
A half-moon in a golden ray. L. B.
214 Borely-tike. 1664.
222 And Drury, great lords all three. L. Decroy
in Mr Askew's MS.— Decroyhight. B.
213 VARIOUS READINGS.
234 Plump. L. — Clump. B. Did not the alliteration
and the concurrence of the old copies point out
the greater claims of the vwrd " Lump," the
term " plump of spears" would certainly have
been more poetical. See a note in Mr Scott's
Marmion, p. 25.
237 Loudon. B. — London. 1664; also the MS. in
Mr Askew 's possession.
251 Sparde. 1664: — Spared. L.
260 Complying, L. B.
261 To Lyon, king at arms. L. B.
272 When in his kingdom I advance. L.
276 His land within a little space. 1664.
277 Then Lyon made him reverence,
And with his coat of arms him deckt,
He haled up sail, and towards France,
He did his way with speed direct. L.
FIT SECOND.
282 Swiftest posts did nimbly bear. L. B.
VARIOUS READINGS. 219
302 Convert,
Their shares defensive armour made,
To save the head, and shield the heart. L.
309 The King of Scots was much inflamed
With joy to see himself obeyed,
And did command his chamberlain,
In England all this gang to lead. L.
314 March warden over East also. L. — He o'er the
East also. B.
315 Breast. L.
323 The coarser loons got geldings good. L. B.
325 For the school master's interpolation at this place,
see the Preface.
336 With horse and foot. L.
339 Coasts. L. 1664.
344 Out of their way. L.
356 So sore. J 664. — With arrows shot : most sore
they flew. L.
36l Lord Hume, sore vexed at this mischance. B.
364 But happy in his horse so light. L. B.
365 Straightway he flew, when he perceived
His banner-bearer down was beat :
The English then their spoil received,
Besides a store of geldings great.
t20 VARIOUS READINGS*
Six hundred Scots lay slain that day,
And hear that number prisoners ta'en,
But of the English brave and gay,
There were no more than sixty slain.
In August month this broil befell,
In which the Scots lost so much blood,
That mournful, when the tale they tell,
They call it now the Devil's road. L.
3Sr And then, as ordered what was writ,
In open words he did discharge, L.
391 The Scottish kings cracks, who shewed each one,
And how his Majesty he misused. 1664.
395 Or else with blood he would pave his ways. L.
398 Bot can say. 1664. — Hot. B. — He did say. L.
402 Brave. B. — Sires, never brave. L.
408 His blade was ever fierce and keen. L.
413 Who'll shed for me their purple gore. L. B.
415 He shall meet with many sharp showers
Before he pass the flood of Trent. 1664.
426 Nor union make. L. B.
430 Banishing all fears. L.- -Quite devoid of fear. B.
432 In France would prosecu te his wars. L.— War. B.
VARIOUS READINGS. 221
435 Who hasted to his native land
To see how with his king it fared. L. B.
448 And all was done that he did list. L.
450 Meaning. l66b.
454 The Earl of Surrey's sage. L.
456 List and wage. B. — Raise for to engage. L.
457 Did understand. L.— Soon as the Earl this un-
derstood. B.
46Y Who did accordingly consent. L.
469 Curtals. B.«- Portals. L.
471 By steed and cart. L.
473 That done, the Earl dispatches wrote. L.
The noble Earl then letters wrote. B.
478 Train. L.
480 Until the King returned again. L.
484 I will recite, B. — I mean to write. L.
489 And thus array'd in armour bright,
They met in Edinburgh town ;
There was many a lord and many a knight,
And baron brave of high renown. L.
222 VARIOUS READINGS.
FIT THIRD.
564 Religious precepts sore did wound. L.
After v. 568, is the following stanza in Lambe ;
forming the conclusion of the Second Fit, and the First
part : —
But how the English did prepare
To fight the Scots, with hand and heart,
Their valour also will appear,
If you will read the second part.
569 It was the King's express command
To waste with cruel sword and flame 5
A field of blood he made the land,
Till he to Norham-castle came. L.
579 But for a while he lashed out. L.
593 I say, quoth he, King James, my liege,
Your brave assaults are all in vain,
Long may you hold a tedious siege,
Yet all this while can get no gain. L.
617 The Scots straightway did pour in. L.
VARIOUS READINGS. 223
626 And of what race. B.
And in what town ?
A Scotsman, sir, he did reply :
This answer gave the treacherous loon, L. MS.
644 The false loon gains. B.
645 What he did say, forthwith was wrought,
The traitor had his just desert,
Although the King himself was naught,
And proved deceitful in the heart. L.
649 Flying posts. L.
662 Himself appearing in renown. L.
664 Until he came to Durham town. L.
665 There he devoutly did hear prayers,
And worshipped God, his Maker dear,
Who banished from him cares and fears,
St Cuthbert's banner he did bear. L.
680 Chopping guns. B.
639 Too. L.
691 To Hornby, from whence he withdrew. L.
701 This stanza is not to be found in Lambe's edition.
702 Harnessed on horse. B.
707 What tears came from religious men. L.
713 All the editions read beds. The emendation was
suggested to me by Mr Scott.
224 VARIOUS READINGS.
752 With wrapping wings. L.
753 There did the army much increase,
Although there were the most extreams ;
For rain down rattling never did cease,
Till bubbling brooks burst mighty streams. L.
756 That every brook its banks o'erflet. B.
757 Breast. l664. There is no doubt that we should
read blast.
Conflicting winds, blustering abreast,
Down rushing, day and night confound. B.
Such blustering winds besides there were,
That day and night the air did sound. L.
764 For his assistance to arrive. L.
767 As to conduct him over the deep,
And his desires just bestow. L.
815 Wherefore to stay was their counsel. 1664;. L.
827 Not doubting but, without all fear. L.
832 With honourable wounds. L.— Pierced through
the breast. B.
833 Would God, that Edward, brother dear,
Were here alive this present day ;
No armed foes could make him fear,
Nor in a camp, like coward, stay. L.
839 What ample fame, what great renown. l66%*
VARIOUS READINGS. 2*5
844 Rhodian. B.— Zodian. 1664.
853 Your father's fame would soon be lost,
And all his worthy acts no more,
Your honour, like a flitting ghost,
Nor yet your sons could ever restore. L. B,
860 Suckling babes. B. L„
FIT FOURTH.
871 And yet I fear. l664.~ But yet. L.
873 Great counsel therefore must be imbraced,
With good deliberation,
Our cards we had both need to count and cast;
Since it lieth on such a weight and fashion. 1664.
880 Of brest. l664,~- Of breast. L.
S90 Beat. L.
895 And underneath this verse. B.
908 W'had need our counsel well to lay. B.
912 Dickan. 1664. — Dick and. Us MS.
919 Brave soldier. B.
938 Where fierce on the Earl he fixed his eyen. 1664.
And fierce. L.
226 VARIOUS READINGS.
987 Since records of the same still speak. L.
So loudly fame doth record reeke. B.
1016 And men unborn our fame resound. B.
1030 As firm by faith is fixed it shall. L.
1047 Who dared into our borders burst. L.
1068 All the Earl's captives did remain. L.
FIT FIFTH.
1115 Lord Ogle chief of them he led. B.
1117 Next to Lord Admiral in field. B.
1119 Him had a shepherd's garb concealed. B.
1123 By friends in this wise he had failed. 1664.
He by a friend was thus concealed. L.
1141 Were fit the strongest bows to bend. L.
Were browned with sounding bows upbend. B.
1159 With all his power. 1664. L.
After 1164, in Lambe's edition, the ensuing stanza
finishes the Fourth Fit, and the Second Part :
The third part it will more unfold
The glorious train of heroes bright,
Such as may please .the sage and old,
And yield to children sweet delight.
VARIOUS READINGS. 82T
1173 Haworth. 1604.
1180 With might and main. B. — And for his sake ne-
ver think it pain. L.
1231 Bruerton. L.
1289 Sir Ninian Markanville. L. as altered from his
MS.
1291 Normanville. L. but in his MS. Mounville.
1296 Chostance. B. — Clapham. I..
1321 Many strong houses. B. — Horses. L.
1323 A baron fair, by. L.
1328 From whom true valour fairly springs. h»
1337 Lively. B.
1363 Hearty and light. L.
FIT SIXTH.
1387 And to him out of hand to send,
Of Scottish nobles captives four. B.
1482 Should with them remain. L.
1484 Their herald, Hay called by name. B.
In Benson's edition the herald is called Hay.
1492 Terrify. L.
1494 Eloquent. L.—Loquentine. B.
2*8 VARIOUS READINGS.
1496 They went. L.
1515 He in a sound. B. 16*64.
1527 And burning Chaffing's fiery chair. B. 166*4.
1530 Who soon on horseback did surround. L,
1534 Capage. 1664. B.
FIT SEVENTH.
1635 Came on a champion then indeed,
With sword in hand, in armour bright. L.
1637 Velvet vizard. l664. B.
At first his face his helmet hid. L. This emen-
dation does not require any comment.
l647 And kneeling, gracefully did bow. L»
1653 In little time he silence brake,
My lord, quoth he, afford some grace ;
Pardon my life for pity's sake,
For now you are in King Henry's place. L.
168 2 A person brave. L.
1722 Of life. 1664. L,
1771 His gando. L,
After 1776, the following stanza concludes the Sixth
Fit, and the Third Part, in Lambe's edition :
VARIOUS READINGS. %29
Read the fourth part, it makes an end
Of Heron's story, and the light.
Let young and old to this attend,
'Twill give instruction with delight.
1777 Then forth before brave Heron flew, &c. L.
1780 Waller's Haw. L's MS. B. 166*.
1790 For battle bold. l664. — Stood. L.
1792 Barrin wood. 1664.
1797 Toynsil. 1664. B. L's MS.
1800 Milford. 1664. B. L's MS.
1841 Like souls most fierce. L.
1849 Agreed. L.
1862 On the Surrey side. L.
I869 Then, a gainful Greek. L.
1895 The light did blind. L.
FIT EIGHTH.
1938 Caps. B.*—In furious rage. L.
1977 Stretched. L,
1999 Nor ever let the world suppose. L.
2027 Slaughters lashed. 1664. B.— Slaughter lash-
ed. L. Emendation of the present editor.
330 VARIOUS READINGS.
2044 A stanza is here found m Lambe's edition, and
his MS., which, with the reasons lor not
adopting it into the text, will be found in the
Preface.
2114 And blows with cutting axes dealt,
Then towering helmets through were cut,
That some their wounds scarce ever felt. L.
2128 A valiant Englishman him slew. L.
2129 Thus Herbert through his haughty heart. L«
FIT NINTH.
2184 A narrow dint of dangerous bode. L.
2185 This important stanza is not found in Lambe's
edition.
2195 My Lancashire brave lads, quoth he,
Down with the Scots this day we must. B.
2215 Their soldiers then did fly with speed,
With souls of horror and distress. L.
2233 This stanza is not lound in Lambe's edition.
2237 The two stanzas, inclosed in brackets, occur only
in Lambe's edition.
2273 Not in Lambe's edition.
VARIOUS READINGS. 231
2278 Naked was left as it was found. L.
2285 Great store of guns were likewise taken,
Amongst the rest seven culverines ;
Seven Sisters called, which do remain
To be talked of to latest times. L.
2288 Another stanza, probably engrafted here by the
Yorkshire schoolmaster, will be found in the
Preface.
2290 This stanza is wanting in Lambe's copy.
2293 But Bryan Tunstall, that brave knight,
A never-dying honour gains,
And will, as long as day and night,
Or as this little book remains.
Thus have you heard of Hodden-fight,
Worthy of each to be commended ;
Because that then old England's right
Was bravely by her sons defended. L.
GLOSSARY.
[ 235 3
GLOSSARY.
Aptly, Openly.
Beagle-rods, should be Bugle-rods, viz. the crosiers or
pastoral staves of bishops, the heads of which are
crooked like bugle, or hunting horns.— Lam be.
More probably from bowgill, or bugle, the horn of
the buffalo; or the animal itself.
Bent, 1851,* 2204, subst. A field. See Mr Chal-
mers's Glossary to Lyndsay's Works.
* The numbers refer to the verses in which the explained
terms occur.
286 GLOSSARY.
Bent, 444, $27, Ready ; perhaps a corruption of
bound, or boun.
Bet, 890, Bettered, participle.
Bless, 1412, To wound, Fr.
Blin, 970, Cease. " No her folies never blin."--- Le-
gend of Sir Owain, (Auch. MS.)
Bodword, 198, Message. Boda-word, Saxon, Boten-
wort, still used in some provinces of Germany. So
in the unpublished romance of Sir Amadas :
" Then commandyd Sir Amadas anon,
A mon to loke or thei gwon
And boyd-worde bryng hym ryght." — V. 68.
Bod is used for a messenger, in Artour and Mer-
lin :
" A bod cam fram the Sarrazin."— V. 2025.
Bombard, 575, Cannon.
Boun, 494, 1746, Ready.
Brast, A provincial corruption of burst.
Bruit, 120, Report, Rumour. I am not certain whe-
ther Brout, or Brut, in the following passages, from
Artour and Merlin, signifies history or book, or
whether the Romzncier refers to the Brut of Maistre
GLOSSARY. 237
Wace, as an authority, but the latter supposition w
by far the most probable :
" So ich in the brout y finde."— -V. 2720.
" So ous seyt the brout forsoth."— V. 3476.
" For in the brut ich it lerne."— V. 3665.
" The brut thereof is mi waraunt." — V. 5218.
Burly-tike, 214, Burly, large, strong; Tike, a dog, a
cur. Bannatyne Poems. Pink. Anc. Poems.
Jamieson's Ballads.
Busked, 488, Dressed, equipped ; so in &VAmadas :
" Sir Amadas, as y yow say,
Buskyd hym upon a day." — V. 50.
Chaffing, 1527. The edition of 1664 reads here :—-
" And burn in Chaffings fiery chair;" and Benson's
" And burning Chaffings/' &c. Both these readings
were unintelligible to the Editor. He was therefore
obliged to adopt the reading of Lambe, and of the
MS. made use of by him, though even thus the
sense is not clear.
Clapping, 680., Noisy ; used by Chaucer for noise, or
noisy talking. Cant. Tales, Tyrwhitt's Edition^
verse 8875.
Clept, Called, named.
238 GLOSSARY.
Coil, 352, Bustle, stir. See Reed's ShaJcesp.VL 169.
Couid, 301, et passim. Could take, for took ; a north-
ern idiom. — Lam be.
Deemed, 1705, Judged. In Anglo Saxon, Deman,
judicare. Douglas says, in one of his prologues :
" Deme as ye list, hat can not demyng weil."
Dight, Dress, prepare, to put. In the former sense m
Sir Degare, (Auch. MS.)
u Amorewe what it was dai light .
Sche was vppe and redi dight."— V. 838.
In the latter sense at v. 1026. Also in Sir Tristrem :
" To deth he him dight."
Dint, A blow, a stroke. Marked by Lambe as a north-
ern idiom.
To disease, 47, Disturb. See Reed's Shakesp. 1803,
XIII. 79.
To dress, 458, To set about, prepare. Fr. dresser.
To drive forth, 1847, To pass on.
Earl is generally used as a word of two syllables in the
edition of 1664.-.
GLOSSARY. 239
Earn, 1119.
Far, 1591, Farther.
Fealed, 1899, Defiled.
Fine, 44, End, Fr.
Flit, 681, Remove; a common idiom in the north of
England.
Fore-cast, 381, To contrive before-hand. Caste is
used as a subst. for Contrivance, trick, &c. in L«
Bone Florence of Rome :
" For thus then is my casfe."— V. 1406.
" And all his false caste."-- V. 2051.
Fore-past, 645, Passed by.
Gate, 1715, Way; used still in Yorkshire.
Gisarings, 292, Halberts ; derived from the French
guisarme> a kind of offensive long-handed and long-
headed weapon ; or as the Spanish visarma, a staff
that had within it two long pikes, which, with a
shoot, or thrust forward, came forth. An ancient
statute of William King of Scotland, " De Venienti-
bus ad Guerram" ch. 23., saith, ' Et qui minus habet
240 GLOSSARY.
quam quadraginta solidos terra, habeut gysarum quod
dicitur hand-bill, arcum et sagittam* And a statute
of Edward I. :— " Et que miens a de quarante sols
de terre soitjure afauchions, gisarmes, §c.
u Every knight
Twa javelins, spears, or than gwarm-staves."
Gav. Douglas.
Ducange, in his Glossary, renders this word by se-
curis , and derives it from the gesum of the Gauls.—
Lambe.
Gills, 1623, Narrow vallies ; a northern idiom.— •
Lambe.
Greek, 1809» proverbial; " She's a merry Greek" —
Troil. and Cres.
Groom, A lad, a fellow, a servant.
Guerdon, Reward.
Habergeon, Coat of mail, Fr.
Harness-horse, 702, Horses defended by harness.
Harried, 32 J, Plundered, ravaged, destroyed :
" For his love that harotced hell."
Squr oflowe Degre,
" If this be all, quoth he, [King James I. of Eng-
GLOSSARY. 241
land] that they have to say, I shall' make them
conform themselves, or I wil harry them out of this
land, or else do worse/' The sumrae and substance
of the conference of his Majestie with the Lordes
Bishoppes, and others of his clergie at Hampton
Court, Janu. 14, 1603. Contracted by William
Barlow. London, 1604, 4.
Hent, Caught, seized.
Hings, 1328, Hangs.
Hold, 544, Strong place, fortress.
Hurly-burly, 1197- See Mr Chalmers's G/owarjf
to Lyndsay's Works,
Jet, 521, To flaunt up and down; from jetter, Fr.—
Sib bald's Chron.
Imp, 30, Child.
Joultliead, 188. Explained by Cotgrave's Continuator
Robert Sherwood, [Lond, l6ll, i632. iol.] Tete de
boiuf.
Ken, Know.
Kine, Cows.
JLash, 579 ?
S42 GLOSSARY.
Lave, 2273, The remainder.
Leasing, 1546, 1552, Lying.
Lewdly, 579, Ignorantly, foolishly :
•' Thocht I be letait, my leile hert can not fenze."
Douglas' Mntis*
Liver, 1337, 1363, Nimble, active.
Loquintue, 1494, Eloquent; a word probably shaped
thus for the sake of rhyme.
Lout, 1647, To stoop, to bend the body.
Love-day, 426, A day appointed amicably to settle
differences ; so in Pierce* Ploughman :
" I can holde love-dayes, and here a reves rekenynge,
And in cannon or in decretals I cannot read a lyne."
Mell, 289, 1991, Mallet, mace; so in a curious un-
published poem, The Hunttyng of the Hare :
" Then every man had a mall,
Syche as thei betyn clottys withall." — V. 91.
" Won hit him on the bale [i. e. belly.] with a mall.
V. 190.
Milners, 19 1, northern idiom for Millers.
Morrish-pike, 1975, Pikes of the Moors. See nume-
rous Notes and Examples in Reed's Shakesp. XX.
p. 424.
GLOSSARY. 243
Pavish, 2180, Buckler, shield. See Ruddiman's
Garvin Douglas.
Pent-up gear, 566, Shut up (concealed) effects.
Piles, 56l, Pile, or Peel, m the north of England, and
in Scotland, denotes a small castle or tower.
Plyed, 26"0, complied.
Polled, 1464, Cut off. See Reed's Shakesp.XVl. 192.
Prease, '695, Tumult, battle, crowd.
. 1947, A verb, formed from this subst.
Prest, 1429, Prompt, ready.
Prave, 402,1 682, Depraved, bad. Pravo, depraved, Jta/.
I have not met with this word in any other author.
Prick, 506, Mark ; perhaps from Prick, perk, a long
pole or perch, the mark being often fixed to the top
ot such a pole.
Prickers, 365, Riders ; so in the King and the Barker,
(Rit. Anc. Popular Poetry, p. 60.) :
" A preker abowt, seyd the kynge, in mane v a contre."
Rade, 570, Rode.
Radly, l6'39, Readily, quickly; so in Sir Gowther, a
MS. romance :
" Toward Rome he radii/ ranne." — V. 240.
244 GLOSSARY.
Raid, 312, Inroad.
Rank, As rank as hail, 1956, 2178, probably some
provincial expression for " As thick as hail." In
Venus and Adonis, a similar meaning seems to be
implied :
" Rain added to a river that is rank."
Reek, 987, Reach.
Rent, 607, 612, Torn, broken.
Sacred, 564, devoted.
Sallat, 304, Armour for the head. See Reed's Shakesp.
XIII. 362.
Sam, Together.
Says, 259, Sayings, speeches.
Scot-free, 2053, A quibble on Scot, a Scottish man,
and Scot, a tax or assignment in a borough.
Seld, 1047, Seldom.
Shored, 510 ; explained by Lambe, Propped. It how-
ever generally means, Cut :
" Then, with a lytyll knyfe he con schare
A crose on the chylder bare." — Sir Ysumbras, v. 133.
GLOSSARY. 245
Skail, 1954, Scatter. (Spill, dissolve. — Bannatync
Poems , by Lord Hailes.)
Skill, 140s, Reason. See Chaucer's Cant, Tales,
v. f)028, 9552, Tyrwh. ed.
Sleight, 1695, contrivance.
Sooth, 453, Truth :
" Bi God, quath Ogger, that is sothe."—Sir Otuel, v. 859.
Sort, 368, A lot, a company.
Sparred, Shut, barred.
Speels, 349.
Stedful, 1809, Stedfast.
Stee and Street, 471, I suspect we should read, Sted
(stead, farm,) and Street.
Stint, 663, 997, Stop, a northern idiom. — Lambe.
Stour, Battle, fight, tumult, stir; so in Sir Cleges, an
unpublished romance :
" Wold God he were a lyfe,
I had hym lever than othyr vyfe,
For he was stronge in stowre." — V. 501.
Talbot, in heraldry, a species of hound.
Tall, 101, 923, Stout, brave.
Teen, 408, Harm, vexation, grief. As a verb, it is used
246 GLOSSARY.
in Chaucer, Christ's Kirk on the Green, &c. ; als©
in the MS. Legend of Tun dale :
" Full sore hym tenyd at hymselfe than."— V. 2322.
Tide, 786, Time; still used in the north. — Lambe.
Trace, 64'2, In a trice ?
Train, 1886, Snare, stratagem.
Wage, 456, To pay wages to.
Wapped, Wipping, 752, 110. Pinkerton (Anc. Scots
Poems.) explains Wappit, Warped, turned ; Lord
Hailes, (Ban/i. Poems.) Suddenly struck down ; but
neither of these meanings is applicable in the pas-
sages quoted above. Sibbald explains To wap whap,
qvhap, To strike, tobeat. In the verses under con-
sideration, the expression seems to signify, To flut-
ter, or to beat the wings.
Weet, 387, 1765, To know.
Weild, 1088, govern ; so in Sir Degare :
" Fforthi mi swerd thou schalt have,
And whene that he is of elde
That he mai himself biwtlde," &c.— V. 109.
Wend, 1431, To go.
GLOSSARY. 24T
Wext, 1090, Became, grew.
Where, 1391, Whereas.
Wist, 448, Knew.
Wood, 420, Mad.
Wot, I7l6, Know; so in Roland and Ferragus :
" Quoth Verragu, now ich wot
Your cristen lawe eueri grot,
Now we wil fight."— P. 784.*
* Wherever unpublished poems are quoted, the numerical
references are to the Editor's transcripts. '
APPENDIX.
[ 251 J
APPENDIX I.
The Lamentation of King James the Fourth, King of
Scots, slayne at Brampton, in the Jiuthe yeare of
King Henry the Eight, Anno Christi 1513.
[From the Mirour for Magistrates. At London, in
Fleetestreete, by Henry Marsh, 15S7-]
As I lay musing myselfe alone,
In minde not stable, but wauering here and there,
Morpheus my frend espyed me anone,
And, as he was wont, whispered in mine eare.
Shortly convyede I was, I wist not where :
Mine eyes were closed fast, I could not see.
I heard a man crying sore, trembling for feare :
Miserere met Dtus et salua mce,
7
252 APPENDIX.
Miserere mei Deus, oft hee did reporte,
With sorowfull sighes, as ever man herde.
For sorowe and pity, I gan nere to resorte :
His sore exclamations made me afferde.
Mine eyes opened, I sawe his grim bearde :
I knew not verily, who it should bee :
He cryde, as hee had beene stickt with a swerde,
Miserere mei Deus et salua mee.
Of Scotland (hee sayde) late I was king,
With crowne on my head, and scepter in hand ;
In wealth and honour, I wanted nothing,
In peaceable maner I ruled my land.
Full frendly and faithfull mysubiects I fand.
Now am 1 exiled from life, law, and liberty ;
King without realme, loe now where I stand ;
Miserere mei Deus et salua mee.
Thus for my folly, I feele I doe smart,
Both law and nature doth me accuse
Of great unkindnes, that I should take part
Against my brother, and his liege refuse.
APPENDIX. 253
I purposed war, yet I feigned truce ;
This did I, Frenche King, for the love of thee,
Inordinate affection so did me abuse :
Miserere mei Deus et salua mee.
All this, King Lewis, I suffred for thy sake,
Wo be to the time that ever I thee knewe ;
For thee am I put in a sorowfull brake,
Thy wilfull appetite doth mee sore rewe.
This woride is not stable, it changeth anewe:
Now am I bond, some time I was free ;
Exiled from liberty, I am kept in a mewe:
Miserere mei Deus et salua mee.
Moreover, for thee, and thy real me of France,
(Contrary to mine othe solemnly made)
Unto King Henry I made defiaunce ;
To follow thine appetite was all the grace I hade ;
In most cruell wise I did his realme invade;
I troubled his subiects by land and by sea ;
My rewarde is no more but the showle and the spade ;
Miserere mei Deus et salua mee.
551 APPENDIX.
For my wilfull periury thus am I brought
From high degree to the lowest of all.
Whom should I blame ; I founde that I sought ;
By mine owne foly 1 had a great fall :
Wherefore I feare mee, that now I shall
Haue payne long lasting, for mine iniquity :
Lord, full of mercy, yet to thee 1 call,
Miserere mei Dens et salua mee.
Vanquished in fielde I was to the rebuke
Oi mee and all my realme, to our immortal shame;
There fought agynst mee neyther king, nor duke,
Prince, ne marquise, ne many lords of name,
One valiant earle our power ouercame ;
Yet were wee in nomber, to his one; three :
Lord, whom thou fauourest, winneth the game :
Miserere mei Deus et salua mee.
I was th* only author of mine owne woe ;
But yet I began it by wicked counsell
Ot my lords spiritual], and temporall also :
Which for their merits in helde with mee fell.
APPENDIX. 255
I was curst (indeede) the truth for to tell,
And could not (by falsehoode) eyther thriue or thie ;
To assist my brother's foe I did not well,
Miserere mei Deus et salua mee.
Christe's commaundements, I did all refuse:
The breach of myne oathe I did not regarde ;
Therfore I am domed as faythlesse as the Jewes :
Sore is the sentence, and cruell is the swerde.
Excepte thy mercy helpe, O Lord, I am marde :
Save mee ; for whom thou suffredst on a tree,
To thy mercye I appeale for my sauegarde ;
Miserere mei Deus et salua mee.
Herafter (by mee) my successours may beware,
An ensample take by my wretched ruyne ;
Lest in lykewyse they bee taken with the snare,
As I am nowe, and pay the lyke fyne.
Vanquished wee were by power devyne ;
For by mannes power it seemed not to be.
Here now I ly, in an homely shrine,
Miserere mei Deus et salua mee.
256 APPENDIX.
I am a spectacle also, in lyke case,
To the Frenche king, yf hee list to take heede ;
I feare that hee cannot, for lacke of grace,
The king and hee bee not yet agreede :
Therefore let him looke for a lyke speede
As wee had, that were of his leage and vnity ;
I trow hee doth neither God loue nor dreede,
Miserere mei Deus et salua mee.
Who ever knew Christian king in such a case
As I, wretched creature, that cannot haue
In churche, or church-yard, any manner place
Emong Christen people to lye in a graue : '
The earthe mee abhorreth, all men mee depraue ;
My frends forsake mee, and haue no pity;
The worlde taketh from mee all that he mee gaue
Miserere mei Deus et salua mee.
There is no more now ; I must take my leaue ;
In this wretched worlde I may no longer dwell :
But one thing there is doth mee sore greaue,
I not where to rest, in heaven or in hell,
APPENDIX. 257
None else thereof but God only can tell.
Adieu, this vvorlde is full of vanity ;
I may no longer be with thee, farewell :
Miserere met Deus et salua mee.
Farewell, my queen, sweete lady Margaret.
Farewell my prince, with whom I vsde to play ;
I wot not where wee shall together meete.
Farewell my lords, and commons eke, for aye.
Adieu, ye shall no ransom for mee pay ;
Yet I beseech you, of your charity,
To the high Lorde mercifull that yee pray :
Miserere mei Deus et salua mee.
King James (quoth one) will bee misliked for his
Miserere. No, (qd. another) he cryes Peccaui. It
is to late, (quoth he) there was no man that will like
or beleeve him. Than {qd. M. H.) [Higgins] he is
stil one and the same man ; for in life he was neither
well liked, beleeved, nor trusted. Why, than, (quoth
one) if hee speake as hee was, let him passe as hee is ;
and if not, let him bee mended. Mended ? (quoth hee)
R
258 APPENDIX.
Nay, hee is paste mending, hee is to olde : For it seems
by the copy, that it was pende aboue fifty years agone,
or even shortly after the death of the said king ; for I
found therewith, in an olde hand, the copies of the
sayd King James letters, sent vnto King Henry at
Turwin, and the kinges aunsweres and letters sent to
him againe, with this lamentation ensuing them ; and,
lastly, the sayd batayle of Floddon Fielde, in such
verse described, with the order of the same, and the
names of the noblemen, knights, and gentlemen, which
served at the same fielde. That would I faine heare
(quoth one) ; it were pity that such particulars should
bee lost. They would (quoth another) pleasure not
only such as write our historyes, but also encourage
our countreymen well, to the like loyall service of
their prince, and especially those who should finde
therein of their parents or auncestours to have bene
praysed for valure. I pray you, (quoth hee) let vs
haue them. There they are, (quoth I) but I haue
altered the verse, which we call Intercalaris, because
the rest would not haue been well liked ; but of the
history I haue not changed one word.
APPENDIX. 259
The Bataile of Brampton, or Floddon Feldff aught in
the Yeare of our Redeemer 1513, and in the Jiuth
Yeare of that victorious Prince, King Henry the
Eygth.
O rex regum, in thy realme celestiall,
Glorified with joyes of Gabriel's company,
King James is dead ; have mercy on vs all,
For thou haste him prostrate so sodaynly,
(Which was our noble prince his enemy,)
That us to withstand hee had no might :
So thy helpe, O Lord, preservde king Henry's right.
Into England this prince prowdly did come,
With fourscore thousand in goodly aray ;
And the castle of Norham first hee had won,
Prospering victoriously from day to day ;
But against him is gone the Earle of Surrey,
With him manfully for to fight,
By the help of God, and in his prince's right.
260 APPENDIX.
This noble earle full wisely hath wrought,
And with thirty thousande forwarde is gone ;
After wisedom and policy, wondrously hee sought
How by the Scottish ordinaunce hee might well come.
Thereto helped well Bastard Heron,
On the Scots hee did harme both day and night :
So thy helpe, O Lord, preservde our prince's right.
Our Herald-at-arms to king Jemy did say, —
My lord of Surrey greetes you well by mee,
Marveyling greatly of this your array,
And what you make here in this countrey,
Peace you have broken and old amity ;
Wherefore, if yee abide, hee will with you light,
By the helpe of God, and in his prince's right.
Abide ? (he sayde) else it were great dishonoure hye,
That a king crowned an earle durst not abide :
Yf Surrey bee so bolde to gieve battayle to mee,
I shall him tarry on Floddon-hill side.
Open war then soon was there cryde ;
And our doughty men were redily dight,
By the helpe of God, and in their prince's right*
APPENDIX. 261
St Cutberd's banner, with the bishop's men bolde,
In the vauntgard forward fast did hye;
That royall relike more precious than golde ;
And Sir William Bowmer nere stoode it by.
Adiuua pater, then fast did they cry,
Pray wee that God will graunt us his might,
That we may have the powre to save our prince's right.
The Lord Clifford, and the Lord Latimer also,
With the Lord Coniers of the north countrey,
And the Lord Scrope of Upsalle, forwarde did goe,
With the Lord Howarde, admirall of the see ;
Of noble hearte and courage good was hee,
As any went that time agaynst the Scots to fight,
By the helpe of God, and in theyr prince's right.
Sir William Percy and Lord Ogle both same,
And Sir William Gascoyne, their cousin, nere was hee,
The shrive of Yorkshire, Sir John Euringame ;
And the nobles of Cheshire in theyr degree,
The Lord Dacres, and Bastard Heyron, with heart free,
Which .did harme the Scots by day and by night,
By the helpe of God, and in their prince's right.
262 APPENDIX,
Sir Edmond Howard, of lusty franke courage,
Boldly advanced himselfe eke in that stounde ;
To the Scots, our enemies, he did great hurte and damage,
Which were right greedy him and his blood to confound ;
But their mischievous intent on themselves did rebound ;
And many a deadly stroke on them there did light,
So the helpe of God preservde our prince's right.
The Baron of Killerton, and both Astones were there,
With Sir John Bouthe, and many knightes moe ;
Sir John Gower, and Sir Walter Griffin drew nere,
With Sir Thomas Butler, and Maister Warcoppe also,
Sir Christopher Warde, and Sir William Midylton both
two,
And Sir William Maliver, all did manly fight,
By the helpe of God, aad in theyr prince's right.
In the mydle warde was the Earle of Surrey,
That noble man stoute, bolde, and hardy,
The father of wit wee call him may ;
The deputy of England most trusty was hee.
With him Lorde Scrope of Bolton, and Sir George Dar-
cye,
And Sir Richard Maliver, with bucks-heads bright,
By the helpe of God, and in theyr prince's right.
1
APPENDIX. 263
Sir Phillip Tilney was there, ready and prest,
In the same warde, with all his mighty powre ;
And Sir John Willowghby as ready as the best,
With Sir Nicholas Aplyard his helpe, ayde and succour.
O what joy was it to see that same howre,
How valiauntly our noblemen with the Scots did fight,
By the helpe of God, and in theyr prince's right.
Yong Sir William Gascoyne was there indede,
With Sir Richard Aldburgh, and Sir Christopher Danbe,
Sir William Scarkell, and M. Froste's helpe at nede,
With Sir Ralph Ellarkar and M. Thomas Lee,
M. Raphe Beeston, and M. Hopton men might see,
Full well, perdy, they quite themselves in that fight,
By the helpe of God, and in theyr prince's right.
Sir Edward Stanley in the reare-warde was hee,
A noble knight both wise and hardy,
With many a nobleman of the west-countrey ;
And the whole powre of the Earle of Darby,
With a right retinue of the Bishop Elye,
And of Lankeshiremen men, manly did fight
By the helpe of God, and in theyr prince's right.
264 APPENDIX.
Soone then the gunnes began a new play,
And the vauntgarde together are gone ;
But our guns dissevered them out of aray,
And our bolde oilmen of them slewe many one,
So that of them scarce retourned none,
Thus were they punished by the helpe of God Almight,-
So thy helpe, O Lord, preservde our prince's right !
Then they sought embushments, but with small chere,
And in fowle maner brake their aray;
Yet some of our men by policy fled were,
That sawe Kinge Jemy on the hill where he lay.
They flee, (he sayes) follow fast I you pray ;
But by that fit of flying wee wan the fight :
So the helpe of God preservde our prince's right.
To the Earl of Surrey King Jemy is gone,
With as comely a company as ever man did see :
Full boldly theyr big men agaynst us did come
Down the hill, with great myrth and melody;
And our men marked them to the Trinity,
Beseeching them there to shew his might,
In theyr whole defence, and in theyr prince's right.
APPENDIX. 265
The Red Lyon, with his owne father's bloud inclynate,
Came towards the White Lyon, both meeke and milde,
And there, by the hand of God he was prostrate,
By the helpe of th' Eagle with her swadled Chylde ;
The Buckesheads also the Scots has beguilde,
And with theyr grey goose-wings doulfully them dight,
By the helpe of God, and in our prince his right.
The Moone that day did shine full bright,
And the Luce-head that day was full bent ;
The Red Crescent did blinde the Scots' sight,
And the Ship with her Ancre many Scots spent :
But, alas ! the good White Griffin was felde on Floddon-
hill;
Yet escape hee did, not vanquisht in the fight;
So thy helpe, O Lord, preservde our prince's right.
The Treyfell was true, and that did well appeare,
And boldly the Great Griffin up the hill is gone;
The Antlet did lace them with arrowes so nere,
That buffits the Scots bare, they lacked none ;
The Cinquefoile also was stedfast as the stone,
And slewe of the Scots like a worthy wight :
So thy helpe, O Lord, preservde our prince's right.
266 APPENDIX.
The yong White Lyon was angry in that stounde,
And with his merry mariners the myrth him made,
His bells lang lay couched on the grounde,
Whereof the Scots were ryght sore affrayde ;
And round about rydeing euermore he sayde :
Go to my fellowes, all shal be all or night,
By the helpe of God we saue our prince his right.
The Cornish Choughe did picke them in the face,
And the Crab them blinded that they might not see.
They flewe and fell ; they had no other grace
With theyr new conqueror : but where now is hee ?
Carried in a cart, to his rebuke and his posterity,
And his bullies so bonny are all put to flight :
So thy helpe, O Lord, preservde our prince his right.
Of Scots lay slayne fall xii thousande,
And xi earles, the sooth for to say ;
xiii lordes, and three bishops, as I understande,
With two abbots, which have learnde a new play,
They should haue bene at home for peace to pray,
Wherefore they were thuswise punished by right :
So thy helpe, O Lord, preservde our prince his right.
APPENDIX. 26?
Theyr ordinaunce is lost, and theyr royalty ;
We have theyr riches, God have the prayesing.
What ech man would take, hee had his liberty;
Wherefore laude and honour to such a king,
From dolefull daunger vs so defending ;
He has graunted unto us now his might,
And by his only ayde preservde our prince's right.
O Rex Regum, Ruler of us all,
As thou for us sufferedst thy passion,
Gieve the Scots grace, by King Jamie's fall,
For to eschue ever like transgression ;
Preserve the Red Rose, and be his protection.
Laud, honour, prayse be unto God Almight,
Who thus suppreste our foes, preservd our prince's right.
0 yee noble lordes, and knightes victorius,
I you beseech to have me excused,
Your noble acts no better that I discusse :
And that my simple saying be not refused,
Where in any thing I have mee misused,
1 mee submit to your charitable correction ;
And in this maner shall be my conclusion. *
Finis, Qd. Frauncis Dingley.
* The last stanza seems addressed to the lords and knights who
fought in the battle ; and thus strengthens the supposition of ho-
26S APPENDIX.
nest Mr Higgins, that the original poem was penned soon after the
death of James IV. Whether Francis Uingley was the original
maker, or the agent of Higgins for altering the old metre into that
called I ntercalaris, I am not able to determine.
It is remarkable, that both these poems were omitted in Ni-
chols's enlarged edition of " The Mirrour of Magistrates" in
1610. No doubt the new editor dreaded the displeasure of the
house of Stuart, which lately had ascended the throne. Only the
second of them, unaccompanied by the interesting dialogue of
Mr Higgins and his friends, was admitted by Mr Lambe into his
Appendix. He printed it, with very great inaccuracy, together
with the two following, from copies transmitted to him from
Newcastle. The ensuing explications of some of the armorial
bearings mentioned in the poem are from his edition :
Red Lion, the King of Scots ;
White Lion, the Earl of Surrey;
Young White Lion, the Lord Admiral;
The Moon, Percy ;
The Red Crescent, Lord Ogle;
The Luce, Sir William Gascoigne;
The Cinquefoil, Sir George Darcy ;
Eagle and Child, Sir Edward Stanley.
The poems also occur in MS. in the British Museum, (Harl.
Lib. 2252.)
I 269 J
II.
SKELTON, LAUREATE, AGAINST THE SCOTTES,
Agaynst the proude Scottes clatteryng,
That neuer wyl leaue theyr tratlyng,
Wan they the felde, and lost their kynge, —
They may well say — Fye on that winning !
Lo, these fond sottes,
And tratlynge Scottes,
How they are blinde
In theyr own minde,
And will not know
Theyr ouerthrow
At Branxton More !
They are so stowre,
So frantike mad,
They say they had,
270 APPENDIX.
And wan the felde
With speare and shield.
That is as trew
As blacke is blew,
And grene is gray.
Whatever they say,
Jemmy is dead,
And closed in leade,
That was theyr own kynge
Fye on that winninge !
At Floddon-hilles
Our bowcs, our billes
Slewe all the flowre
Of theyre honoure.
Are not these Scottes
Foles and sottes
Such boste to make,
To prate and crake,
To face, to brace
All voyd of grace ?
So proud of heart,
So ouerthwart,
So out of frame,
So voyd of shame,
APPENDIX. 271
As it is enrold,
Written, and told
Within this quaire ?
Who list to repair,
And therein reed,
Shall find indeed
A mad rekening,
Considering all thing,
That the Scottes may sing :
Fye on that winning !
WHEN THE SCOTTE LIVED.
Joly Jemmy, ye scornful Scot,
Is it come unto your lot
A solempne sumner for to be ?
It greeth nought for your degre,
Our Kyng of England for to fight,
Youre sovereine lord, our prince of might.
Ye for to send such a citacion !
It shameth al your noughty nacion.
In comparison, but kynge Koppyng
Unto our prince, anointed king.
Ye play Hob Lobbyn of Lowdean ;
Ye shew right wel what good ye can,—
272 APPENDIX.
Ye may be lord of Locrian, — *
Christ sence with a frying pan ! —
Of Edingborrowe, and Saincte Ionis Towne !
Adieu, syr sumner ; cast off your crowne !
WHEN THE SCOT WAS SLAIN.
Continually I shall remember
The mery moneth of September,
With the xi day of the same ; f
For then began our mirth and game.
So that now I have devised,
And in my mind I have comprised,
Of the proude Scot King Jemmy,
To write some lyttel tragedy ;
For no manner consideration,
Of any sorowful lamentacion,
But for the special consolacion
Of all our royal English naciorv
Melpomene ! O muse tragediall,
Unto your grace, for grace now I call
* Lothian.
+ An evident mistake for " ix day of the same," caused
by the inversion of the two numerals.
APPENDIX. 273
>
To guyde my pen, and my pen to enbibe,
Illumine me, your poet and your scribe,
That, with mixture of aloes and bitter gall,
I may compound confectures for a cordiall,
To angre the Scottes, and Irish kiterings withal,
That late were discomfect with battaile marcial.
Thalia, my muse, for you also cal I,
To touche them with tauntes of your armony,
A medley to make, of mirth with sadnes,
The hartes of England to comfort with gladnes.
And now to begin, I will me ad res
To your rehersyng, the somme of my proces.
King Jamy, Jemmy, Jockey, my joye
Summond our king. Why did ye so ?
To you nothing it did accord
To summon our kynge, our soveraigne lorde;
A kynge, a sumner, it was great wonder,
Know ye not suger and salt asonder ?
Your summer to saucye, to malapert
Your harrold in armes, not yet halfe expert,
Ye thought ye did, yet valiauntlye,
Not worth the skyppes of a pye,
Syr Skyr Galyard, ye were so skit,
Your wyl then ran before your wyt.
s
274 APPENDIX.
Your lege ye layd, and your aly,
Your franticke fable, not worth a fly,
Frenche kinge, or one or other
Regarded you shold your lord your brother.
Trowed ye Syr Jemy, his nobel grace
From you Sir Scot wold tourne his face ?
With gup Syr Scot of Galewey,
Now is your pride fall to decay.
Male brid, was your fals entent
For to offend your president,
Your soueraigne lord, most reuerente,
Your lord, your brother, and your regent.
In him is figured Melchisedecke,
And ye were disloyall Amalecke.
He is oure noble Scipione,
Annoynted kynge, and ye were none.
Thoughe ye untrulye your father haue slaine.
His tytle is true in Fraunce to raygne ;
And ye proude Scot, Dunde, Dunbar,
Parde ye were his homager,
And suter to his parliament ;
For your vntruth nowe are ye shent.
Ye bare your self somewhat to bolde,
Therefore ye lost your copyhold :
APPENDIX. 275
Ye were bond tenent to his estate,—
Loste is your game, ye are checke mate.
Vnto the castell of Norram
I understand to sone ye came.
At Branxston-more, and Flodden-hilles,
Our English bowes, our English bylles
Agaynst you gave so sharpe a shower,
That of Scotland ye lost the flower.
The White Lyon, there rampaunte of moode,
He raged, and rent out your hart bloude.
He the White, and you the Red ;
The white there slewe the red starke ded :
Thus for your gurdon quyt are ye,
Thanked be God in Trinite,
And swete Sainct George, our Ladie's knighte,
Your eye is oute ;— adewe, good nyghte !
Ye were starke mad to make a fray,
His grace beyng out of the way ;
But, by the power and might of God,
For your tayle ye made a rod.
Ye wanted wit, syr ; at a worde,
Ye lost your spurs, ye lost your sword.
Ye mighte have busked you to Huntly bankes,
Your pryde was peuysh to play such prankes.
4
276 APPENDIX.
Your pouerte could not attayne
With our kyng royal war to maintaine.
Of the kynge of Nauerne ye might take heed,
Ungraciously howe he dothe speede
An double dealynge; so he dyd dreame
That he is kynge, withoute a reame ;
And for exaumple, he would none take,
Experiens hath broughte you in such a brake,
Your wealthe, your joy, your sport, your play,
Your braggyng bost, your royal aray,
Your beard so brym, as bore at baye,
Your seven systers, that Gun so gay, —
All have ye lost and caste awaye.
Thus fortune hath turned you, I dare wel saye,
Now from a kinge to a clot of clay ;
Oute of robes ye were shaked,
And wretchedly ye lay, stark your naked.
For lacke of grace, hard was your hap,—
The pope's cures gaue you that clap.
Of the out yles, the rough-foted Scottes,
We haue well eased them of the bottes ;
The rude rancke Scottes, like droncken Dranes, *
At Englysh bowes have fetched theyr banes ;
* Probably " droncken Danes." The renown of the Danes
for their powers of toping was quite proverbial, and vied with
APPENDIX. 277
It is not fitting, in tower or towne,
A sumner to were a kynges crowne.
Fortune on you therefore dyd frowne,—
Ye were to hye, ye are cast downe.
Syr sumner now where is your crowne ?
that of the Germans. Indeed, the agreeable alliteration of
" drunken Danes*' was too attractive for the ancient poets, and
made them rather neglect the quality of the topers of another
nation, than lose such an harmonious combination of words.
The fame of the Germans may, among other instances, be sup-
ported by two passages in Italian authors :
" Com' un Tedesco ch' abbia ben bevuto."
Orlando Innamorato, C. LII. St. 69.
" Bacco chiamo i Tedeschi a que U' impresa,
" E ando fino in Germania ad invitalli.
u Essi quand 'ebber la sua voglia intesa,
" In un momento armar' fanti e cavalli,
" Benedicendo Ottobre, e san Martino,
" E sperando notar tutti nel vino."
La Secchia Rapita di Tassoni, C. II. St. 65.
King James I. (of England) dates one of his letters " from
the Castel of Croneburg, quhaire we are drinking and dryving
our in the auld maner." It would be unfair to suppose, that
the British Solomon had any share in importing the fondness for
toping from Denmark into his own realm.
278 APPENDIX.
Cast of your crowne, cast up your crowne,
Syr suraner now ye haue lost your crowne.
Quod Skelton, Laureate. Oratoure to the Kynges
most royal estate.
Scotica redacta informam prouincic
Regis parebit nutibus anglie :
Alio quin (per desert um sin) super cherubim,
Cherubin, seraphim, seraphin que ergo, &c.
Unto diuers People that remord this ryminge againste
the Scot Jemmy.
I am now constrayned,
With wordes nothynge fayned,
This inuectiue to make
For some people sake,
That lyst for to iangell,
And waywardly wrangell
APPENDIX. 270
Agaynste this my makynge,
Their males thereat shakynge,
At it reprehending,
And venemously stinging,
Rebukynge and remordyng,
And nothynge aecordynge.
Cause they haue none other,
But for that he was hys brother ;
Brother vnnatural
Unto our kyng royal,
Againste whome he did fighte,
Faslye agaynst all ryghte,
Lyke that vntrue rebell,
False layne agaynste Abell.
But who so there at pyketh mood,
The tokens are not good,
To be true Englysh blood ;
For if they vnderstood
His traytourly dispight,
He was a recrayed knighte,
A subtyli sysmatyke,
Ryghte neare an herytyke ;
Of grace out of the state,
And died excommunicate.
280 APPENDIX.
And for he was a kynge,
The more shameful rekenynge
Of hym shoulde men reporte
In earnest and in sporte.
He scantlye loueth oure kynge
That grudgeth at this thinge;
That caste suche ouerthwartes
Percase have hollowe hartes.
Si veritatem dico, quare no creditis mihi. *
* Two Latin poems, the one entitled, Chorus de Dys, con-
tra Scottes, cum omni processionali festiuitatc solempni sauit hoc
Epitoma XXII. die Septcmbris, fyc. ; and the other, Chorus de
DiSy fyc , super triumphali victoria contra Gallos, tyc. cantauit
solemniter hoc Flogium in profesto diui Johannis ad de colati-
onem, succeed to the above production of Skelton, which is
chiefly remarkable for its extreme scurrility, and as evincing
the extreme hatred which existed at that time between the
Scots and English. The above text is from the old edition of
Skelton's Works, entitled, " Heare after foloweth certain
Bokes, compiled by Master Skelton, Poet Laureat, whose
names here after appere. Speake Parrot. The Death of the
n«»ble Prince, King Edward the Fourth. A Treatise of the
Scottes. Ware the Hawke. The running of Elynoure Rum-
nryng. Imprinted at London by Jhon Decy." 1583. 12„
The apology, which Skelton found it necessary to add, and
which is peculiarly interesting, as it seems to indicate the ex-
istence of a party, not so unfavourable to the Scots as the ge-
nerality of the English were, is omitted by Lambe, whose
copy is besides full of imperfections, and seems to have been
taken from the edition of 1736.
t 231 1
111.
The lamentable Complaint of King James of Scot-
lande, who was slayne at Scottish Fielde, anno 1513.
By Ulpian FulwelL
The following extract is taken from a book en-
titled, The Flower of Fame, written by Ulpian Fulwell,
and dedicated to Sir William Cecil, Baron of Burgh-
leygh, &c. It is printed in quarto, in the old black
letter, at London, 1575. He is quoted by Speed,
Edw. VI. Sect. 6l. Hence Wood, who had never
seen this book, concludes that Fulwell had printed
some other tracts, besides those which he mentions in
his letter. Oxon, v. 1. No. 266.
Between the fourth and fifth stanzas, there is, in
the original, a wooden cut, representing Death, run-
ning to seize a crown upon the head of a king.
Lambs.
282 APPENDIX.
Mr Lambe, or rather the friend at Newcastle, who
furnished him with the only curious part of his Ap-
pendix, quotes several pages of introductory matter
from Fulwell, which are here omitted, as they con-
tain merely an abstract of the occasion and conduct
of the war, and nothing which might justify the inser-
tion, except the last paragraph, which is here sub-
joined :
" But first I have taken upon mee to introduce
King James unto thee, in forme of the Mirror for
Magestrates, to vtter his complaynt, and tell his owne
tale as followeth :*' —
Among the rest, whom rewful fate hath reft,
Whose shrouding sheetes hath wrapt their woful
lyves,
Why have not I a place among them left,
Whose fall eche tong with dayly talk reuyues ?
Such is the wheele that froward fortune dryves,
To-day a king of puissance and might,
And in one howre a wofull wretched wight.
A happie life by happie ende is tride,
A wretched race by woful ende is known :
APPENDIX. 283
Though pleasant wind the ship do tightly guyd,
At last by rage of stormes tis overthrowne.
The greatest oke by tempest is fyrst blowne.
Though fortune seeme a loft to hoyse thy sayle,
Yet fortune ofte tymes smyles to small auayle.
I thought my bower buylt on happie soyle,
Which under propped was with tickle staye :
Wherefore on sodayne chaunce T tooke the foyle
In hope for to have had a noble praye,
In search whereof I reapt my fatal daye,
With shameful death my fame was forcte to bow
A gwerdon meete for breach of sacred vow.
A prince his promise ought not to be broke,
Much more his othe of ryght observed should be :
But greedy gayne doth ofte the mynde provoke,
To breake both othe and vowe, as seemes by mee.
Ambition blearde myne eyes, I coulde not see.
I find, though man with man his faith forgoe,
Yet man with God may not do so.
I was a king, my power was not small,
I ware the crowne to wield the Scottish land :
•28* APPENDIX.
I raignde and rewldc, the greater was my fall ;
The myght of God no kingdome can withstand,
An Earle wan of mee the upper hande.
With blodie sworde my lucklesse lyfe to ende,
By shameful death, without tyme to amende.
Such was the force of Atrops cruell spight,
Unlooked for to cut my fatal lyne :
My wretched carcas then was brought in sight
Through London streats, whereat the Scots repine
The endless shame of this mishap is myne.
Like butchers ware, on horsebacke was I brought,
The King of Kinges for me this end hath wrought.
Let princes all by me example take,
What daunger 'tis to dally in such cace :
By periure their faythes for to forsake,
Least seate of shame shall be their endless place,
Foule infamie shall their renoune deface :
Or falsed faith such is deserved hyre,
And he must falle that will too high aspire.
Ye noble peeres, whose lyues with myne did end,
Send forth from graues your griesly ghosts each one,
APPENDIX. 285
To wayle the chance that fortune vs did sende.
Let all the Scots powre out their plaints and mone,
That we to hedles haste were apt and prone.
Which rash beginning, voyde of Godly awe,
Had lyke successe for breach e of sacred la we.
I thought that Englande had beene far too weake,
For my strong power, when Henry was away :
Which made mee light regarde my vow to breake,
But yet I founde they were left in good stay,
With force and strength to purchase my decay.
Thus my aspiring minde had guerdon due,
Which may a mirror bee for men to vewe ;
Whereby to shun the breache of sacred vow,
And not to seeke by lawless means to rayne :
For right will force usurped rule to bow,
And reap repulst in steade of noble gaine ;
Thus truth in tyme doth turne her foe to paine,
And God himselfe doth shield the rightful cause,
Then let men learn to lyve within his lawes.
( 280 ]
IV.
Epitaph of Sir Marmaduke Constable, in Flamborough
Church.
[From the Gentleman's Magazine for 1753, p. 456.]
Here lieth Marmaduke Cunstable, of Flaymborght,
knyght,
Who made adventor into France for the right of the
same,
Passed over with Kyng Edward the fourth, that noble
knyght,
And also with noble Kyng Herre, the sevinth or
that name.
He was also at Berwik at the winnyng of the same,
And by Kyng Edward chosyn Capteyn there first of
any one,
APPENDIX. 287
And rewllid and governid there his tym without
blame,
But for all that as ye se he lieth under this stone.
At Brankiston feld, wher the kyng of Scottys was
slayne,
He then beyng of the age of thre score and tene,
With the gode Duke of Northefolke that journey he
has tayen,
And coragely avancid hymself among other ther and
then.
The kyng being in France with grete nombre of Yng-
lishmen,
He nothing hedyng his age there but ieopde hym
as on,
With his sonnes, brothen, sarvants, and kynnesmen ;
But now as ye se he lieth under this stone.
But now all his tryumphes are passed and set on syde,
For all worldly joyes they will not long endure,
They are sonne passed, and away dothe glyde,
And who that putteth his trust i them, I call him
most unsure.
288 APPENDIX.
For when deth strikith he sparith no creature,
Nor gevith no warnyg*, but taketh them by one and
one;
And now he abydyth Godes mercy, and hath no other
sucure,
For as ye se hym here he lieth vnder this stone.
Pray you my kynnsmen, lovers, and frendis all,
To pray to our Lord Jhesu to have mercy of my souill.
" This epitaph is written on a copperplate, fixed
into a large stone, which is placed upon a large stone
coffin, or chest, in which the body was reposited ; and
beside it is the upper part of a skeleton in stone, the
ribs project greatly, and the breast is laid open, in the
inner side of which appears what, by tradition, is held
to be a toad at the heart, (of which he was supposed
to die), but it bears little or no resemblance of a toad/'
* In this Epitaph, I have been obliged to trust to the accu-
racy of the trarscriber for the Gentleman's Magazine, but
strongly suspect that this should be warnyng ; the n being pro-
bably marked by a transverse line over the y.
( 889 )
V.
Song on the Victory of Floddon Field,
" The following ballad may possibly be as ancient
as any thing we have on the subject. It is given from
* The most pleasant and delectable History of John
Winchcomb, otherwise called Jack of Nevobery' writ-
ten by Thomas Deloney, who thus speaks of it : * In
disgrace of the Scots, and in remembrance of the
famous atchieved victory, the commons of England
made this song ; which to this day is not forgotten by
many/
" It will not be contended, however, that the ballad
here printed exhibits the genuine English of Henry
the Eighth's time. Honest Thomas, no doubt, like
greater editors, had too refined a taste, to prefer ac-
curacy and fidelity' to pleasing the eyes, or tickling
the ears of his reader.
290 APPENDIX.
" This author is mentioned by Kempe, (Nine Days
Wonder j 1600. 4 to.), as * the great ballade maker,
T. D., or Thomas Deloney, chronicler of the memor-
able Lives of the Six Yeomen of the West, Jack of
Newbery, The Gentle Craft, and such like honest
men, omitted by Stowe, Holinshed, Grafton, Hall,
Froissart, and the rest of those well-deserving writers/
Warton, Hist. Eng. Poet, iii. 430. He had satiri-
sed Kempe, in what he calls ' abhominable ballets/
Warton says, that Jack of Newbury was entered in
the stationers book to T. Myllington, Mar. 7, 1596 ;
and The Gentle Craft to Ralph Blore, Oct. 19, 1597.
Deloney was, in 1596, committed to the Counter, by
the Lord Mayor, for ridiculing the Queen, and book
of orders about the dearth of corn, in one of his bal*
lads." — Ritson's Ancient Songs.
THE SONG.
King Jamie hath made a vow,
Keep it well if he may,
That he will be at lovely London
Upon Saint James his day.
2
APPENDIX. 2VI
Upon Saint James his day at noon
At fair London will I be ;
And all tbe lords in merry Scotland,
They shall dine there with me.
Then bespake good Queen Margaret,
The tears fell from her eye,
Leave off these wars, most noble king,
Keep your fidelity.
The water runs swift, and wonderous deep
From bottom to the brim ;
My brother Henry hath men good enough,
England is hard to win.
Away (quoth he) with this silly fool,
In prison fast let her lye ;
For she is come of the English blood,
And for these words she shall die.
That day made many a fatherless child,
And many a v/idow poor ;
And many a Scottish gay lady
Sate weeping* in her bower.
* Orig. Sweeping.
292 APPENDIX.
With that bespake Lord Thomas Howard,
The queen's chamberlain that day,
If that you put Queen Margaret to death,
Scotland shall rue it alway.
Then in a rage King Jamie did say,
Away with this foolish mome ;
He shall be hang'd, and the other burn'd,
So soon as I come home.
At Flodden-field the Scots came in,
Which made our English men fain ;
At Bramstone-green this battel was seen,
There was King Jamie slain.
Then presently the Scots did fly,
Their cannons they left behind ;
Their ensigns gay were won all away,
Our souldiers did beat them blind.
To tell you plain, twelve thousand were slain,
That to the fight did stand ;
And many a prisoner took that day,
The best in all Scotland.
APPENDIX. 293
Jack with a fether was lapt all in lether,
His boastings were all in vain ;
He had such a chance with new morrice dance,
He never went home again.
C w* )
VI.
The Laird of Muirhead.
u This ballad is a fragment, from Mr Herd's MS.,
communicated to him by J. Grosset Muirhead, at
Breadesholm, near Glasgow ; who stated, that he ex-
tracted it, as relating to his own family, from the
complete song, in which the names of twenty or thirty
gentlemen were mentioned,* contained in a large
collection, belonging to Mr Alexander Monro, mer-
chant in Lisbon, supposed now to be lost.
" It appears, from the Appendix to Nesbit's He-
* The loss of this song is the more to be regretted, as (to
judge from this fragment) it must have been, in point of poeti-
cal merit, as much superior to the English metrical history, as
the Scottish ballads are in general to those of English growth.
APPEN"DI*T» 205
ruldry, p. 264., that Muirhead of Lachop and Bullis,
the person called here the laird of Muirhead, was a
man of rank ; being rentaller, or perhaps feuar, of
many crown lands in Galloway ; and was, in truth,
slain ' in Campo Bello de Northumberland, sub vexillo
Regis/ i, e. in the field of Floddon."-*-Minstrelsy of
the Border, i. p. 283., from whence the ballad is here,
by permission of the Editor, reprinted.
Afore the king in order stude
The stout laird of Muirhead,
Wi' that sam twa-hand muckle sword
That Bartram felled stark dead.
He sware he wadna lose his right
To fight in ilka field,
Nor budge him from his liege's sight,
Till his last gasp should yield.
Twa hunder mair, of his own name*
Frae Tor wood and the Clyde,
Sware they would never gang to hame,
But a' die by his syde.
296 APPENDIX.
And wond'rous weil they kept their troth ;
This sturdy royal band
Rush'd down the brae, wi' sic a pith,
That nane could them withstand,
Mony a bludey blow they delt,
The like was never seen ;
And hadna that braw leader fallen,
They ne'er had slain the king.
[ 297 ]
VII.
The Flowers of the Forest.
Though the following song has been so frequently
reprinted, and so variously illustrated ; and though it
has lately been proved to be, for the greater part, mo-
dern ; its beauty is so eminent, that I cannot help
following the example of my predecessor, the Reverend
Mr Lambe, and give it a place among the few scat-
tered poems which I have been able to collect, re-
specting the fatal field of Flodden. As the history of
the song is fully narrated in the " Minstrelsy of the
Border," a work which is in the hands of most of my
readers, I only refer to the work of my friend. His
glossarial explanations I have, however, found neces-
sary to subjoin.
I've heard them lilting, at the ewe-milking,
Lasses a' lilting before dawn of day ;
But now they are moaning on ilka green loaning-*—
The flowers of the forest are a' wede awae.
298 APPENDIX.
At bughts, in the morning, nae blithe lads are scorning;
Lasses are lonely, and dowie, and wae j
Nae daffing, nae gabbing, but sighing and sabbing ;
Ilk ane lifts her leglin, and hies her awae.
In har'st, at the shearing, nae youths now are jearing ;
Bandsters are runkled, and lyart or gray ;
At fair, or at preaching, nae wooing, nae fleeching ;—
The flowers of the forest are a' wede awae.
At e'en, in the gloaming, nae younkers are roaming
'Bout stacks, with the lasses at bogle to play ;
But ilk maid sits dreary, lamenting her deary-—
The flowers of the forest are weded awae.
Dool and wae for the order, sent our lads to the border !
The English, for ance, by guile wan the day ;
The flowers of the forest, that fought aye the foremost,
The prime of our land are cauld in the clay.
We'll hear nae mair lilting, at the ewes milking;
Women and bairns are heartless and wae :
Sighing and moaning, on ilka green loaning —
The flowers of the forest are a' wede awae.
APPENDIX. 81)9
Lilting, Singing chearfully.
Loaning, A broad lane.
Wede awae, Weded out*
Scorning, Rallying.
Dome, Drearie.
Daffing, Joking.
Gabbing, Chattering.
Leglih, Milk-pail.
Har'st, Harvest.
Shearing, Reaping.
Bandsters, Sheaf-binders.
Runkled, Wrinkled,
Lyart, Inclined to grey.
f leeching, Coaxing.
Gloaming, Twilight.
C 300 ]
VIII.
Ara
Magnanimis Heroibus
qui
cum Jacobo IV. Rege
. in Funesto Praelio
ad Fluidonem
occubverunt
Ad Diem IX. Vllbris
Anno Christi
cIo.Id.xiii.
Magnanimi Heroes vobis hanc ponimus Aram :
Haec cum luctificis tristia signa nobis.
Flent matres raptos natos, natique parentes ;
Frater & in fratris funere multa gemit :
It Tueda irrorans lachrymas, Nymphaeque sorores,
Et quaecumque colunt flumina mcesta deae.
APPENDIX. 801
Ergo furens tantum potuit Mars improbus, aut Mors,
Mortali ut caderent numina tanta manu ?
Ille aevi decus Augustura, spesque unica rerura,
Atque illi invictd pectora juncta fide ?
Dum simul hosti instant, spernunt simul omnia : nemo
Dum cessisse velit, nee superesse valet.
Felices animae, tanto quas Patria luctu,
Quasque prior tollens Fama sub astra vehit !
[Heroes ex omni Historia Scotica lectissimi, Auctore
Johan. Jonstono, Abredonense Scoto. Lugduni
Batavorum cId.Io.c.iii.]
t «« J
IX.
Jjetterfrom Pope Leo X. to Henri/ VIII.
De Corpore nuper Regis Scotorum, in Praelio Flodden
Field, Interfecti, Sepeliendo.
[Vitell. B. 2. fol. 54. Bibl. Cotton.]
"Charissime in Christo Fili noster Salutem et Apos*-
tolicam Benedictionem.
" Cum, Clarae Memoriae, Jacobus Scotorum olim Rex
Illustris eo in Fcedere quod alias cum, Clarae Memo-
riae, Henrico Rege Patre tuo Illustri fecerat, cujusque
Foederis Auctor et Confirmator, Felicis Recordations,
Alexander Sextus Praedecessor noster fuerat, eas
conditiones accepisset ut, si contra id Fcedus aliquo
tempore veniret, excommunicationis peenam ipso jure
incurreret, sicut in Literis sub Plumbo ab eodem
Praedecessore confectis plenius continetur,
APPENDIX. 303
" Ac deinde idem Jacobus eura Majestate tua, cu-
jus sororem in Matrimonio habebat illud idem Fcedus
Renovatum sanxisset, seseque eisdem Excommunica-
tyonis et Censurarum Pcenis obstrinxisset si pacem
tecum atque amicitiam, etiam affinitatis vinculo con-
tractam, ullo modo violaret,
" Et tamen postea, his non obstantibus, Pacem et
Foedus ipsum, tot cautionibus munitum atque sanci-
tum, armis fregisset,
" Ob eamque causam a Dilecto Filio nostro Chris-
tophero Sanctae Praxedis Sanctas Romanae Ecclesise
Presbytera, Cardinale, potestate illi per, Felicis Recor-
dations, Julium Secundum praedecessorem nostrum
concessa et tradita, sicut in ipsius praedecessoris li-
teris sub plumbo continetur, excommunicato, de-
nunciatus, et publicatus fuisset,
" Atque, iis censuris oneratus, in praelio, quod intra
Fines Regni tui commisit aducibus tuis victus occu-
buerit, proptereaque in loco honesto quidem sed non
sacro ipsius Cadaver adhuc resservetur,
" Majestas tua et pro illius Regia Dignitate et quia
affinitate tibi junctus erat, humanae et conditionis
casu et illiu^ caeteris virtutibus animum tuum ad mi-
304 APPENDIX.
sericordiam commoventibus, honoris etiam tui hoc
esse existimans,
" Cupis Regis Corpus ad Urbem Londini deferri, et
in Ecclesia Cathedrali Sancti Pauli dictas civitatis pro
Regia Dignitate sepeliri posse,
" Nos in hoc tarn pio et Laudi dignissimo Deside-
rio tuo sicut in caeteris Morem Majestati tuae gerere
cupientes, attendentesque, ut dicitur et credi debet,
idem Jacobus Scotorum Rex, ante obitum, dum in
extremis ageret, erratorum memor, aliqua signa poeni-
tentiae, quae tali tempore dari poterant, dedit, tuse
Majestati licentiam et Facultatem concedimus cor-
pus praedictum e loco ubi nunc est, cum ea funerali
pompa quae tibi videbitur, ad dictam civitatem trans-
ferendi et transportati faciendi, et in eadem Ecclesia
Sancti Pauli in loco Sacro Sepeliendi,
" Committentes et mandantes harum serie Venera-
bili Fratri Ricardo Londoniensi, seu alteri Episcopo
per te eligendo, ut eundem quondam Regem, constito
de contritione, et pcenitentiae signis demon-
stratis, antequam ipsius corpus sepeliatur, ab omnibus
dictarum excommunicationum et censurarum laqueis
ac nodis, ad hunc effectum 'duntaxat ut in loco sacro^
4
APPENDIX. 305
possit commotio sepeliri, auctoritate nostra absolvat ;
injuncta super hoc Majestati tuse nomine ipsius Regis
aliqu& conveniente poenitentia, quam adimplere tene-
aris,
" Non obstantibus praemissis ac Constitutionibus et
Ordinationibus Apostolicis, caeterisque contrariis qui-
buscumque.
" Dat. Romae apud Sanctum Petrum sub anulo
Piscatoris, die vicesimo nono Novembris, Millesimo
quingentesimo decimo tertio, Pontificates nostri An-
no Primo.
Ja. Sadoletus.
Carissimo in Christ o Filio nostro
Henrico Anglice Regi Illustri.
[ 306 ]
X.
Lindsay of Pitscottie's Account of the Rattle of
Floddon.
[History of Scotland, Ed. Edinburgh, 1728,
p. 112—118.]
[Having related the midnight vision at the Cross, the
Historian thus proceeds :]
Thir novels passed through the town to every man ;
and at last they came to the king's ears, who gave
them little credence, and refused utterly all wise
and godly counsel, which was to his honour, and the
commonweal of the country ; and would use no coun-
sel of his prudent wife Margaret, Queen of Scotland,
for no prayer nor supplication that she could make ;
APPENDIX. 307
shewing to him, that she had but one son to him,
which was but a weak warrant to the realm of Scot-
land, and oversoon to him to pass to battle, leaving
such small succession behind him : Therefore she
thought it best, that he should tarry till God send
them more fruit of his body ; for she assured him, if
he passed in England, at that time, he would get battle.
Yet this wise counsel and admonition was of no ways
accepted, nor taken in good part by him ; because she
was the king of England's sister, and therefore was the
less regarded. Yet this noblewoman did her duty, and
labour, so far as she might, for the well of her hus-
band, and the commonweal of the country, and also
for the love she bore to her brother, the king of Eng-
land, desiring no discord to be betwixt the two realms
in her time.
But, nevertheless, nothing would be heard, but for-
ward the king sent unto the place where the musters
were received, that is to say, in the Burrow-muir be-
side Edinburgh ; where there assembled the king, and
all his lords, barons, burgesses, and freeholders, and
all manner of men betwixt sixty and sixteen, as well
spiritual as temporal, both burgh and land, as well the
out isles as the firm land, which hastily came, and
308 APPENDIX.
were there to the number of a hundred thousand fight-
ing men,* together with the carriagemen and artillery,
which was to the number of thirty shot of great artil-
lery, and thirty field-pieces, with all their ordinance
of powder and bullet ; and passed syne forward to Esk,
and camped there ; and on the morrow, went to Wark
and Norham, and cast them down ; and thereafter
went to Ford, and cast it down. Great slaughter was
made of the king's men that stood about the house in
the flyings of the timber. Some say the lady of Foord
was a beautiful woman, and that the king medled with
her, and also his son Alexander Stuart, bishop of St
Andrews, with her daughter, which was against God's
commandment,! and against the order of all good cap-
* " Moreouer in euerie band (almost generally thoroughout)
there was a knight appointed for capteine and guider ; and
amongst them certain French capteins, the which King Lewes
had sent over into Scotland latelie before, to traine the'Scots
in the practise of warres." — Holinshed's Chron, Among these
was Mons. de la Mote-Francois, who, in the French gazette
of the battle, is enumerated among the slain.
+ The honest historian remembered here the injunction of
the fictitious St John at Linlithgow, " to mell with no woman"
before the battle. "Who the young lady was who amused the
Archbishop, I am not able to determine, as no daughter of Sir
William Heron appears in Sir Richard Heron's genealogy of
his family. See the Notes on v. 1377.
APPENDIX. 309
tains of war, to begin at whoredom and harlotry be-
fore any good success of battle or victory had fallen
unto them, and fornication had a great part of the
wyte* of their evil success.
Notwithstanding the king continued still there the
space of twenty days without battle ; till, at last, all
the victuals and vivers f of the commons were spent ;
and many of the fat North-Land and Isles-men were
spent and wasted in the famine in this same manner,
that it was force to them to pass home ; and every
lord and gentleman sent one or two home of their
special friends, to bring them victuals in this ways ;
then baid J not with the king above ten thousand men,
by borderers and countrymen. Yet the king's grace
took no fear, because he believed no battle of the Eng-
lishmen at that time.
But this wicked lady of Foord seeing the king's host
so dispersed for lack of victuals, and knowing all the
secrets that were among the king's men and the army,
both of the king himself and his secret council ; and
this experience she had by her frequent whoredom
with the king, and also her daughter with his son,
* Blame. t Provisions, Fr* % Stayed, abided.
S10 APPENDIX.
which moved her to ask licence at the king to pass in-
ward in the country, to speak with certain of her
friends, declaring to the king, that she should bring
him all novels out of the south country, what they
were doing, or what was their purpose for to do, de-
siring his grace to remain to her coming. And he
again, as an effeminate prince, subdued and enticed
by the allurement and false deceit of this wicked wo-
man, gave her over hastily credence in this behalf, and
believed surely all had been true that she had promi-
sed : to that effect gart* convoy her a certain way
from the host, as she desired. But this lady, thinking
nothing that she had promised to the king, that, on no
ways, she would keep it, for the love she bare her na-
tive country ; but hastily past, with a deceitful mind,
to the Earl of Surrey, where he was lying at York at
that time; and shew to him the whole secrets of the
king of Scotland and his army ; what point he was at,
and how his men were departed from him for lack of
victuals; and that there were not bidden f with him
but ten thousand men of all his army : Therefore, she
Caused. t Remained,
APPENDIX. 311
thought it expedient, that the Earl of Surrey should
come forward, with all that he might be at that time.
She promised to them that they should have victory,
for she, by her craft and ingine, should deceive the
king, so far as she could, to put him in the English-
men's hands.
Thir novels being come to the Earl of Surrey, by
this wicked woman, he was very glad thereof, and
thanked her greatly for her labours and travels she
took for her native country ; promising to her, that
within three days, he should meet the king of Scot-
land, and give him battle.
In this mean time, there were letters come to the
Earl of Surrey, that his son, the Lord Howard, was
landed at Dover, six thousand men of war with him,
of the best of all king Hary's armies, sent to him by
the said Hary, who was lying in France at this time,
seeking his pension, and got word, that the king of
Scotland was come in England, invading his realm, for
love of France; which was contrarious to the law of
God, the welfair of both the said realms of England
and Scotland, considering the promise, bands, alliance
made betwixt both the said realms, as we have shewn
before to you. Notwithstanding, the king of England
312 APPENDIX.
lamented heavily the unkindness of his good-brother,*
the king of Scots. And therefore he wrote home a
commission to the Earl of Surrey, that he should be
lieutenant for the time, and raise the whole body of
England, both gentlemen and commons, and cause
them to pass forward against the king of Scotland, to
defend their realm ; giving them an express command,
that he should not invade the king of Scotland by any
manner of way, but in his own defence ; nor should not
pursue the king of Scotland, nor none of his, in Scot-
tish ground ; but defend themselves within the realm
of England.
The Earl of Surrey hearing the letters of commis-
sion presented by his son, was very rejoyced ; and also
of the home-coming of his son, Lord Howard ; and
took such courage, that he assembled all his army of
England, and made their musters incontinent, to the
number of fifty thousand gentlemen and commons.
The captains hereof were, the Earl of Surrey, principal
lieutenant to the king's grace ; and under him his son,
Lord Howard, principal governor of the host ; and th«
* Brother-in-law.
APPENDIX. 3\Z
Lord Dacres Marshal, the Lord of Westmuirland, and
the Percies of Northumberland, were chieftains of the
vanguard. And thus, in all possible haste, marched
forward toward the Scots, where they lay for the time,
to wit, at Floudown Hills, taking care of no enemies
to invade them at that time, and specially of English-
men. For the king, nor none of his council, knew of
the Earl of Surrey's coming, nor yet believed to have
had battle of him, nor of none other of England at that
time, considering the king was not present in the
realm.
Thus the king of Scotland so insolent, having no
foresight nor moyen* in the country, lay still, ta-
king no thought, as a man uncounsellable, which
would do nothing for his lords and his captains, for
the safeguard of his host, and commonweal of his no-
bles ; nor yet for obtaining of victory, and defending
of his own honour ; but lying still abiding the lady of
Foord's coming ; but all for nought : for she did no-
thing but deceived him, and came not again till the
English army came with her. So the king of Scot-
* Means, Fr.
314 APPENDIX.
land never knew the coming of the army of England,
while they were within the space of three miles, ar-
rayed in seven great battles.
When thir novels were shewn to the king of Scot-
land, he would scantly credit them ; but lap on horse,
and rode to the hills to visit them : But when he saw
them coming so fast forward, he caused to sound his
trumpets, and put his men in array, and ordained to
charge his artillery, and make all ready.
In this mean time, the lords passed to the council,
thinking they would not suffer the king to give battle,
at that time, to a man of low degree. But when the
lords passed to the council, as said is, the king disgui-
sed himself, and came privily and heard every lord's
vote, and what was their conclusion toward his pro-
ceedings : to wit, the lords devised and charged Pat-
rick Lord Lindesay to be chancellor and first voter in
the council, because he was best learned, and of great-
est age, and had greatest experience amongst them all
at that time. They required of him, if he thought
good that the king should give battle to England, at
that time, or not. The Lord Lindesay, being ripely
advised in this matter, seeing the proceedings, conver-
sation, and behaviour of the king, answered to the
APPENDIX. 315
lords in this manner, as after follows, saying, " My
lords, ye desire my opinion and judgment, if the king
should give battle to England, or not. My lords, I
will give you forth a similitude, desiring you to know
my mind by the same hereafter. I compare your lord-
ships to an honest merchant, who would, in his voy-
age, go to the dice with a common hazarder, and there
to jeopardy a rose-noble on a cast, against a gleed
halfpenny ; * which, if this merchant wins, it will be
counted but little, or else nought; but, if he tynes, f
he tynes his honour, with that piece of gold, which is
of more value. So, my lords, ye may understand by
this, ye shall be called the merchant, and your king a
rose-noble, and England the common hazarder, who
have nothing to jeopardy but a gleed halfpenny, in
comparison of your noble king, and an old crooked
carilj lying in a chariot; and though they tyne him,
they tyne but little ; but if we jeopardy our noble king
* A gleed halfpenny, perhaps a shining or worn- off half-
penny.
t Loses.
X Caril, carl, fellow. — I have not met with any other ac-
count of the malconformation of Surrey's person.
316 APPENDIX.
at this time, with a simple wight, and happen to tyne
him, we will be called evil merchants, and far worse
counsellors to his majesty : For if we tyne him, we
tyne the whole realm of Scotland, and the whole no-
bility thereof; for none, my lords, at this time, have
bidden* but gentlemen; the commons are all depart-
ed from us for lack of victual; so that it is not decent
nor seemly to us, that we should jeopardy our noble
king and his nobility, with an old crooked caiil, and
certain sutorsf and taylors with him in company: But
better it were, to cause the king remove, and certain
of his lords with him ; and, whom he thinks most ex-
pedient to take the matter in hand, and jeopardy them-
selves for the king's pleasure, and their own honour,
and the commonweal of the country at this time :
And if your lordships will conclude in this manner, I
think it best for my own part."
By this the Lord Lindesay had voted in this man-
ner, the whole lords were content of his conclusion,
and nominate certain lords to take the battles in hand,
that is to say, the Earl of Huntley in the north, the
Remained. + Shoemakers.
APPENDIX. 317
Earl of Argyle, the Earl of Crawford, the Earl of Mar-
shal ; and, in the west part of Scotland, the Earl of
Glencairn, the Lord Graham, the Lord Maxwel ; and
in the south, the Earl of Angus, the Earl of Bodwell,
the Lord Hume, to be rulers of the king's host, and
fight in battle against England ; and the king to pass,
with a certain company of his nobility, a little from
the army, where he might see the valiant acts of both
the sides, and be in safeguard himself.
This being devised and spoken, and finally conclu-
ded with all the whole lords ; the king, near hand by,
disguised, as I shew to you before, desiring to hear
their counsel and conclusion, and to be unknown of
them, burst forth, and answered unhappily in this
manner, as after follows, saying to them, in a furious
rage, " My lords, I shall fight this day against Eng-
land, though ye had sworn the contrary; though ye
would all flee from me, and shame yourselves, ye shall
not shame me, as ye devise: And to Lord Patrick
Lindesay, that has gotten the first vote, I vow to God,
I shall never see Scotland sooner, than I shall cause
him hang at his own gate."
Thus the lords were astonished at the king's answer,
seeing him into a fury, and were fain to satisfy his
318 APPENDIX.
pleasure, and serve his appetite in all things, as he
commanded.
By this the watches came, and shew the king the
English army was at hand, marching fast forward
within the space of a Scottish mile. Then the king
caused blow the trumpets, and set his men in order of
battle ; to wit, he gave the vanguard to the Earl of
Huntley and to the Lord Hume,* who were in num-
ber ten thousand men ; and took the great battle un-
to himself, with all the nobility of Scotland, which
passed not above twenty thousand men,f and march-
* Pitscottie, in giving to Huntley and Hume the vanguard, is
in some measure in the right, as the left wing which they com-
manded was the first to engage the enemy, and during the
march formed, in fact, the advanced corps of the Scottish
army.
+ The historian has here forgot, that, a few sentences be-
fore, the lady of Ford informed the Larl of Surrey that only
ten thousand of the Scottish host remained. The number men-
tioned above is probably the real state of the case. A greater
number of Hume's followers, who were Borderers, would na-
turally remain, and render his corps, with that of Huntley,
the strongest division of the army. From the French original
gazette, it would appear, that Huntley was joined with Craw-
ford, and that Hume formed the left detached division of the
left wing opposed to Sir Edmond Howard, who, in the like
manner, formed the right of his brother the lord admiral.
APPENDIX. 319
ed forward a little in the sight of the Englishmen, who
were then passing over the bridge to them. The mas-
ter-gunner came in presence of the king, and fell on
his knees, desiring at the king's grace, that he might
shoot his artillery at the English host, where they were
coming over the bridge of Tills ; for he promised and
took in hand, that he should cut the bridge at their
overcoming ; that the king should have no displeasure
at the one half, while the other should be devoured ;
for he stiled* his artillery for the bridge, and they
came thereon. The king answered to Robert Borth-
wick, his gunner, like a man that had been reft of his
wit, saying to him, li I shall hang thee, quarter thee,
and draw thee, if thou shoot one shoot this day. I am
determined that I will have them all before me on a
plain field, and see then what they can do all before
me."
The Englishmen were come all over the bridge, f
* Directed.
+ The wily Surrey must have been advised, by some trusty
informer, of the chivalrous intention of the Scottish monarch,
to fight him without any advantage of situation ; otherwise he
would never have ventured to pass a bridge liable to be de-
32(J APPENDIX.
and the vanguards were marching near together ; to
wit, the Scottish vanguard, the Earl of Huntley, the
Lord Hume, with the Borderers and countrymen there-
of, in like manner, who joined cruelly on every side,
and fought cruelly with uncertain victory : But, at
last, the Earl of Huntley's Highlandmen, with their
bows and two-handed swords, wrought so manfully,
that they defeat the Englishmen, without any slaugh-
ter on their side. Then the Earl of Huntley and Lord
Hume blew their trumpets, and convened their men
again into their standards.
By this the two great battles of England came for-
ward upon the king's battle, and joined awfully at the
sound of the trumpet, and fought furiously a long
while ; but at last the king of Scotland defeat them
both. Then the great battle of England, led by the
Lord Howard, who was under his father the Earl of
Surrey, governor of that battle, who came furiously
upon the king, to the number of twenty thousand fresh
stroyed by the Scottish artillery. This i9 another circum-
stance, which supports the authenticity of the interference «f
Lady Heron.
3
APPENDIX. 321
men. But the king's battle encountered them hardily,
and fought manfully on both the sides, with uncertain
victory, till that the streams of blood ran on either side
so abundantly, that all the fields and waters were made
red with the confluence thereof. The Earl of Hunt-
ley and the Lord Hume then standing in arrayed bat-
tle, who had win the vanguard before, and few of their
men either hurt or slain ; the Earl of Huntley desired
at the Lord Hume, that he would help the king, and
rescue him in this extremity ; for he said, that he was
overset with the multitude of men. Notwithstanding
the Lord Hume answered the Earl of Huntley in this
manner, saying, " He does well that does for himself;
we have foughten our vanguards, and have won the
same: therefore let the lave* do their part, as well
as we." The Earl of Huntley answered again, and
said, he could not suffer his native prince to be over-
come with his enemies before his eyes : therefore called
his men together by sluggorn, and sound of trumpets,
to have past to the king. But ere he came, all was
* The rest.
X
322 APPENDIX.
defeat on either side, that few or none was living, nei-
ther on the king's part, nor on the other. *
Some say there came four men upon four horses ri-
ding to the field, with four spears, and a wisp on every
spearhead, to be a sign and witter + to them, that eve-
ry one of them should know other. They rode in the
field, and horsed the king, and brought him forth of
the field on a din X hackney. But some say, they had
him into the Merse, betwixt Dunse and Kelso ; what
they did with him there I cannot tell : But one, ten
years thereafter, convicted of a slaughter, offered to
the Duke of Albany, for his life, to let him see the
place where the prince was yearded, § to the token he
should let him see his belt of iron lying beside him in
the grave. But notwithstanding this man got no au-
dience by them that were about him; the Duke of
Albany desired not at that time that such thing should
* In this gallant attempt of the Earl of Huntley, his standard
or penon became the prize of the enemy; which will be found
delineated in the present work, from a copy transmitted from
George Chalmers, Esq.
+ Mark. J Dun. $ Euried, earthed.
APPENDIX. 323
be known : but we will leave this, and return to our
purpose. *
The field discomfeist in this manner on both sides ;
for neither England nor Scotland knew who had the
better in that battle, but that the Scottishmen mist
their king ; for there was ever two Englishmen slain
for one Scottishman; and so many of the Englishmen
that were alive, retired to the Earl of Surrey, and Lord
Howard his son, and retired a little from the field, and
stood on their feet that night, while on the morn at
nine hours, not knowing who had win or tint the field :
And likewise the Lord Hume stood all that night on
his feet, with the number of ten thousand men ; while,
on the morrow that the sun rose, he seeing no noise,
neither of English nor Scots, departed his way, and
left the king's artillery behind him, which he might
have had rescued, and brought with him, if he had
* These, and similar tales, such as the king's preservation and
pilgrimage in foreign climes, &c. were probably prompted by
the natural love of the people for a monarch, who was as chi-
valrous, as rash, as unfortunate, and whose death was as firm-
ly disbelieved by many of his countrymen as that of Sebastian,
king of Portugal, whose character and warfare strong!, re-
sembles that of James. In Anderson's History of Scotland^
324 APPENDIX.
pleased ; * for I heard say, upon the morn at ten
hours, that a hundred Scottishmen might have brought
away the king's artillery safely, without any stop of
Englishmen. But soon after the Englishmen hearing
that the Lord Hume was retired from the field, came
soon together with the number that they might be,
carted it, and had it away to Berwick, where much of
it remains to this day ; synef went through the field
seeking the noblemen who were slain, and in special
the king's grace. They found many like him, clad in
his coat of armour, but no man could say surely that
it was he, because the same day of the field, he caused
ten to be clad in his coat of armour ; among the rest
written about the commencement of the eighteenth century,
and preserved in the Advocates Library in MS. a greater num-
ber of traditions respecting James IV. after the battle of
Floddon, are preserved, than Pitscottie has admitted into his
account.
* This accusation, like the others preferred against Hume,
is probably very much exaggerated. His followers would,
no doubt, be more anxious to secure the riches of the Eng-
lish camp, which they pillaged during the battle, than to pre-
serve the property of the crown. But to carry off a large park
of artillery, in the presence of a victorious, though certainly
much diminished army, would have required a larger force and
longer time than the Border chieftain could spare.
t Since, after that.
APPENDIX. $S&
there were two of his guard, the one called Alexander
Macculloch, and the other the Squire of Cleisch, which
were men of makedom both like the king ; therefore,
when they were dead gotten in the field, and the king's
coat of armour upon them, the Englishmen believing
that one of them was the king, they took one of them,
whom they thought most apparently to be like the
king, and cast him in a chariot, and had him away to
England with them. But yet we know surely they
got not the king, because they had never the token of
the iron belt to shew to any Scottishman. * This sor-
rowful battle was stricken and ended, on this manner,
at Floudoun-hills, in the month of September, the
ninth day, the year of God one thousand five hundred
and thirteen years, and his reign the twenty-fifth year.
James IV. unhappily slain in this manner, with ma-
ny of his nobles, not by the manhood and wisdom of
Englishmen, but by the king's own misgovernance,
* A strong argument against these Scotish assumptions, is the
letter of Leo X. [See App. No. IX.] to request the royal burial
of the corpse, which most probably was written at the inter-
cession of Scotland. The regency would hardly have caused
his Holiness to iutercede for the burial of Alexander Maccul-
lecb, or the Squire of Cleish.
326 APPENDIX.
that would not use the counsel of his wise nobles, in
defending of his honour, and preserving of his army ;
but used himself to his own sensual pleasures, which
was the cause of his ruin : * Therefore all other prin-
ces may take example by him, which refused honest
and good counsel, and specially of them which were
the principal defenders of the realm. Though he was
the head, they were the arms and the special defence
of the whole body; for ofttimes it is heard and seen,
that the arms defend the head when it is pursued by
violence ; and are the buckler that man doth present
for t:,e safe-guard of the head, though the head makes
little defence to the arms ; as so is seen of this unfor-
tunate king, that brought his barons to such a point,
through his wilful misgovernance, that they were all
cruelly murdered and slain, in his default, and not in
theirs.
* Pitscottie is still thinking of the injunction of the awful
vision of the apostle, to continue chaste till the day of battle,
and the peremptory denunciation of the consequence of his
non-compliance.
£ 327 3
XI.
Account of the Battle of Floddon,from Halle's Chro-
nicle of England. 1548.t/b/.
The Earl of Surrey, beynge at Pompfret, called to
hym the most parte of the gentlemen of the counties
to hym apoynted as is before rehersed, declaringe to
them the kynges hygh commaundement, shewynge
them, that he beynge there the kynge's lieutenant muste
nedes have ayde and counsayll ; wherefore he sware
the mooste vvysest and expert gentelmen in such causes
of the kynge's counsayll and hys for that tyme, for the
better compassynge hys charge and purpose, and for
too brynge euerye thynge in dewe order. Fyrst they
toke a determination vvyth Syr Philippe Tylney, knight,
treasurer of the warres, howe the charges shoulde be
328 APPENDIX.
payde, and secondarely with syr Nycholas Applyarde,
master of the ordinaunce, tor the conveyaunce of the
kynges royal ordinaunces, pouder and artillerie to
Newcastell, and so forwarde as the case should re-
quyer, whiche Syr Nicholas, by William Blacknall,
clercke of the kynges spyceri, sent the sayde ordi-
naunce and artyllerye to Durham before, so that all
thynges concerning that office were in a redynes. The
Earle forgatt not to sende to all lordes, spirituall and
temporall, knyghtes, gentelmenne, or other which had
tenauntes, or were rulers of tounes or liberties (able
to make men) to certify e what number of able men
horsed and harnesed, they were able to make within
an houres warnynge, and to geue there attendaunce on
hym, and also he layed postes every waye, which postes
stretched to the marches of Wales to the counseyll
there, by reason whereof, he had knowledge what was
done in euerye coste.
The earle was enformed by the Lord Dacres, of the
numbrynge and preparing of men in Scotlande, and
proclamacions soundynge to the breche of peace, and
yet though he considered that the roade made by the
chamberlayne of Scotlande into England, beyng dis-
trussed by Sir William J3ulmer, as is afore rehersed,
APPENDIX. £20
was an open breche of the perpetual peace ; yet the
sayde Lord Dacres auysed the earle for many and
great weighty causes not to reyse or styrre the powers
of the countrey, to hym appoynted, tyll he mighte per-
ceyue, and openly know the subtyle purpose and en-
tent of the Scottes aforesaid, lest yf the Scottes had
perceyued the Englishemen redy to fight, they would
have desisted of theyr purpose for that tyme, tyll the
Englishmen were returned to their countreys, and then
sodaynely to ryse agayne.
Then the erle knowynge that the towne of Berwyck
was strong ynough, sent to the capitayne of Norham,
certefienge hym, that yf he thought the castell in anye
daungier or debylitie, he woulde put hymselfe in a re-
dynes to reskew it, if it were beseged, the capitayne
wrote to the earle, thankynge hym, and prayed God
that the kynge of Scottes would come with hys puys-
saunce, for he woulde kepe hym playe tyll the tyme
that the kynge of Englande came out of Fraunce to
reskew it, whyche aunswer reioysed the earle muche.
After the kynge of Scottes had sent hys defyaunce
to the kynge of Englande, lyenge before Tyrwyn, as you
have harde, he dayly made his musters, and assembled
his people ouer all hys realme, whereof the brute was
330 APPENDIX.
that they were twoo hundred thousand, but for a sure-
ty they were an hundred thousand good iightynge men
at the lest, and with all hys hoste and power entered
into Englande, (and threw doune pyles) the xxii. day
of August, and planted hys siege before the castell of
Norham, and sore abated the walles. The earle hard
tydynges thereof the fyue and twenty day of August,
beynge say net Barthelmewes daye.
Then he wrote to all the gentelmen of the shyres
aforesayde, to be wyth hym at Newcastell, the fyrste
day of September next, with all there retynew accord-
ynge to the certificat. On the morow, he wyth hys
fyue hundred menne came to Yorke, and the xxvi.
daye he went toward Newcastell, and notwythstand-
ynge that he had the fowleste daye and nyght that
could be, and the wayes so depe, in so muche that hys
guyde was almoste drouned before hym, yet he neuer
ceased, but kept on his jorney to geue example to them
that shoulde folowe. He beynge at Durham, was ad-
uertysed how the kynge of Scottes wyth hys great or-
dinaunce had rased the walles of the castell of Nor-
ham, and had made thre great assaultes thre dayes
together, and the capitaynes valiauntly defended hym,
but he spent vaynely so muche of hys ordinaunce,
APPENDIX. 331
bowes and arrowes, and other municions, that at the
laste he tacked, and so was at the vi. daye compelled
to yelde hym symply to the kynge's mercye. Thys
castell was thought impregenable, yf it had bene well
furnished, but the Scottes by the undiscrete spendynge
of the capitayne, toke it in sixe dayes ; thys chaunce
was more sorowful to the earle than to the bishoppe
owner of the same. All that nyghte the wynde blewe
coragiously, wherfor the earle doubted least the Lorde
Howard hys sonne,greate Admyrall of Englande, should
perishe that nyght on the sea, who promysed to lande
at Newcastell with a thousand men, to accompaynie
his father, whyche promise he accomplished.
The earle harde masse, and appoynted wyth the
Prior for saincte Cutberde's banner, and so that daye
beynge the thyrty daye of August, he came to New-
castell : thither came the Lorde Dacres, Sir Willam
Bulmer, Syr Marmaduke Constable, and many other
substanciall gentellmen, whom he retayned wyth hym
as counsayllers ; and these determined, that on Sundaye
next ensuynge, he shoulde take the felde at Bolton, in
Glendale ; and because many souldiours were repayr-
ynge to hym, he left Newcastell to the entent that
they that folowed, shoulde have there more rome, and
3S2 APPENDIX.
came to Alnewyke the thyrde of September ; and be-
cause his souldiars were not come, by reason of the
foule waye, he was fayne to tarye there all the fourthe
daye beynge Sundaye, whiche daye came to hym the
Lorde Admirall his sonne, with a compaignye of val-
yaunt capitaynes and able souldiars and maryners,
whiche all came from the sea ; the commynge of hym
muche reioysed hys father, for he was very wyse, har-
dy, and of greate credence and experience. Then the
earle and hys counsayll, with great deliberacion, ap-
poynted his battayles in order, with wynges and with
ryders necessarie.
Fyrste of the forwarde was capitayne the Lord
Howarde, Admyrall of Englande, with suche as came
from the sea, and wyth hym Syr Nycholas Appl-
yarde, Syr Stephen Bull, Syr Henry Shyreburne,
Syr Wylliam Sydney, Sir Edwarde Echyngham, the
Lorde Clyfford, the Lorde Conyers, the Lorde Laty-
mer, the Lorde Scrope of Upsale, the Lorde Egle, the
Lorde Lomley, Syr William Bulmer, with the power
of the Bishoprycke of Durham, Syr Wylliam Gas-
coyne, Sir Christopher Ward, Syr Jhon Eueryngham,
Syr Thomas Metham, Syr Water Gryffith, and many
ether.
APPENDIX. 333
Of the wynge on the righte hande of the forward,
was capitayne Syr Edmonde Howarde, knight, mar-
shal! of the hoste, and with hym Bryan Tunstall,
Raufe Brearton, Jhon Laurence, Richard Bolde, Es-
quyers ; and Syr Jhon Bothe, Syr Thomas Butler,
knyghtes ; Rycharde Donne, Jhon Bygod, Thomas
Fitzwilham, John Clarays, Bryan Stapulton, Robert
Warcophe, Richard Cholmeley, wyth the men of Hull,
and the kynge's tenauntes of Hatfield, and other.
Of the wynge of the left hande, was capitayne Syr
Marmaduke Constable, with hys sonnes and kynnes-
men, Sir William Percy, and of Lancashire, a thou-
sand men.
Of the rerewarde was capitayne the Earle of Sur-
rey hymselfe, and wyth hym the Lord Scrope of Bolton,
Syr Philippe Tylney, Syr George Darce, Syr Thomas
Barkebey, Syr Jhon Rocliffe, Syr Christopher Picker-
ynge, Richard Tempest, Sir Jhon Stanley, with the
Byshoppe of Elyes servaunts, Syr Bryan Stapulton,
Lyonell Percy, with the Abbot of Whitbye's ser-
vaunts, Christopher Clapham, Syr William Gascoing
the younger, Syr Gay Downey, Maister Magnus,
Mayster Dalbye's servauntes, Sir Jhon Normanuyle,
the citizens of Yorke, Syr Nynyan Markanuyle, Sir
Jhon Wylloghby, with other.
33i APPENDIX.
Of the wyng on the right hande was capitayne the
Lord Dacres, wyth his power.
On the lefte hande wynge was Syr Edward Stanley,
knight, with the residue of the power of the countye
Palantyne, and of Lancaster.
And when all men were appoynted, and knewe what
to do, the earl and his counsayll concluded, and deter-
mined emonge other thynges to sende Rouge Crosse,
pursiuaunt of armes, with a trompet to the kynge of
Scottes, wyth certayne instruccions signed by the sayd
erle, conteynynge woorde by woorde as foloweth.
Fyrste, where there hath bene suyte niade to the
kynge of Scottes, by Elizabeth Heron, wyfe to Wyl-
liam Heron of Forde, now prysoner in Scotlande, for
castynge doune of the house or castell of Forde ; and
as the sayde Elizabeth reporteth uppon communica-
tion had, the sayde kynge hath promysed and condi-
scended to the sayde Elizabeth, that if she any tyme
before none, the fift daye of September, woulde brynge
and delyuer unto hym the Lorde Johnstowne, and
Alexander Hume, then prysonnerrs in England, he
then is contented, and agreed that the sayde house or
castell shall stande wythout castynge doune, bren-
nynge or spoylynge the same : Whereunto the sayde
APPENDIX. S35
earle is content with that uppon this condition, that
yf the sayde kynge wyll promytte the assuraunce of
the sayde castell, in maner and forme aforesayde un-
der his seale, to deliuer the sayde Lorde of Jhon-
stowne and Alexander Hume, immediately uppon the
same assuraunce. And in case the sayde kynge can
and wyll be content to delyuer the sayde Heron out
of Scotlande, then the sayde earle shal cause to be
deliuered to the sayde kynge, the two gentelmen and
two other, Syr George Hume and William Carre.
Farther, the said earle woll that you Rouge Crosse,
shewe the sayde kynge, that where he contrary to his
othe and league, and vnnaturally agaynste all reason
and conscience, hathe entred and inuaded this his bro-
ther's realme of Englande, and done great hurte to the
same, in castynge downe castelles, towers, and houses,
brennynge, spoyling, and destroiynge of the same, and
cruelly murderynge the king of Englande hys brother's
subiects : Wherefore the sayde earle wyll be readye
to trye the rightfulnes of the matter, with the kynge
in battail by Friday next commynge, at the farthest,
yf he of hys noble courage wyll geue hym tarienge,
and abode within this the kynge's realme so longe
tyme. And the same the sayde earle promiseth, as he
336 APPENDIX.
is true knight to God, and the kynge of Englande hys
mayster. And before Rouge Crosse shoulde departe
wyth the sayde instruccions, the sayde Lorde Admyrall
gaue hym in credence too shewe the said kynge of hys
commyngye, and parte of his compaignye on the sea
wyth hym ; and that he hadde soughte the Scottyshe
nauye, then beynge on the sea, but he coulde hot
mete with theyrn, because they were fledde into
Fraunce. by the coste of Irelande.
And in as muche as the sayde kynge hadde diuerse
and many tymes caused the sayde lorde too be called
at dayes of true, to make redresse for Andrew Barton,
a pirate of the sea, longe before that vanquyshed by
the same Lorde Admyrall, he was nowe come in hys
awne proper persone too be in the vauntgarde of the
felde, to justifye the deathe of the saide Andrewe,
agaynste hym and all hys people, and woulde se what
coulde be layde to hys charge the sayde daye ; and
that he nor none of hys compaignye shoulde take no
Scottishe noble man prysoner, nor any other, but they
shoulde dye yf they shoulde come in hys daunger, one-
les it were the kynges awne persone, for he sayde he
trusted to none other curtesye at the handes of the
Scottes.
13
APPENDIX. 337
And in thys maner he shoulde fynde hym in the
vauntgarde of the felde, by the grace of God and
Sayncte George, as he was a trew knyghte. Yet be-
fore the departynge of Rouge Crosse wyth the sayd
instruccions and credence, it was thoughte by the
earle ancLhys counsayll, that the sayde kynge woulde
fayne and imagen some other message, to sende an
heraulde of hys wyth the same, onely to view, and
ouerse the maner and order of the kynge's royal ar-
mye, ordinaunce, and artillerie, then beyng wyth the
earle, wherby myght haue ensued great daungier to
the same, and for exchuynge thereof, he hadde in
commaundement, that yf any such message were sente,
not to bryng any person commynge therewith within
three or two myle of the felde at the nyghest, where
the sayde earle woulde come, and heare what he
woulde saye : and thus departed Rouge Crosse, wyth
hys trumpet apparayled in his cote of amies.
On Mondaye the fyfte daye of September, the earle
tooke hys felde at Bolton, in Glendall, as he had ap-
poyncted, where all the noblemen and gentelmen met
wyth their retynewes, to the number of six and twen-
ty thousande men, and aboute mydnighte nexte ensu-
yng, came the trumpette, whyche went wyth Rouge
Y
338 APPENDIX.
Crosse, and declared how the kynge of Scottes, after
the message done to hym by Rouge Crosse accordynge
to his instruccions, the sayde kynge detayned hym,
and sent one Hay, a herauld of hys, wyth hym vnto
the earle, to declare to hym the said kynge' s pleasure,
too whome the earle sente Yorke, heraulde at armes,
to accompaignye the sayde Hay, at a village called
Mylo, twoo myles from the felde, vntyll the comyng
thether of the sayde earle the next morow.
The sixte daye of September, early in the morn-
ynge, the earle, accompaignied with the mooste parte
of the lordes, knyghtes, and gentelmen of the felde,
euery man hauynge with h)m but one man to holde
hys horse, and so the sayde heraulde met wyth the
earle; and with blunt reuerence declared to him, that
he was come from hys master the kynge of Scottes,
whyche woulde knowe, whyther the earle sent anye
suche message by Rouge Crosse; the earle iustified
the same, saiynge farther, that Rouge Crosse hadde
the same message of hym in writynge, signed wyth
hys awne hande, whereunto the sayde Hay sayde, as
touchynge the sauynge from brennynge or destroy-
inge, and castynge downe of the caslell of Forde, for
the deliuerance of the sayd prisoners, the kynge his
11
APPENDIX. 339
mayster woulde therto make no aunswer. But as too
the abydynge for battayl betwene that and Fridaye
then nexte folowynge, the kyng his master badde hym
shewe to the earle, that he was as welcome as any no-
ble manne of England unto the same kynge ; and that
yf he had bene at home in his towne of Edenborough,
there receyuyng such a message from the sayd erle,
he woulde gladlye have come and fulfilled the sayde
earle's desyre ; and the heraulde assured the earle on
the kynge his mayster's behalfe, that the same kynge
woulde abyde hym battayll at the daye prefixed, where-
of the sayde earle was righte ioyous, and muche pray-
sed the honourable agrement of the sayde royall kynge,
and esteemed the same to procede of an hygh and no-
ble courage, promysynge the haraulde, that he, and
good surety wyth hym, shoulde be bounde in ten thou-
sande pounde sterlynge, too kepe the sayde daye ap-
poynted, so that the kyng woulde fynde an earle of
his, and thereto a good suerty with him to be bounde
in lyke summe, for the performans of the same : And
farthermore, the earle bad the heraulde for to saye to
his maister, that yf he for his parte kept not hys ap-
poyntmente, then he was content, that the Scottes
shoulde baffuli hym, whiche is a great reproche a-
34() APPENDIX.
monge the Scottes, and is vsed when a man is openly
periured, and then they make of hym an image paynt-
ed reuersed, with hys he'es vpwarde, with hys name,
wonderynge, cryenge, and blowinge out of hym with
homes, in the moost dispitefull maner they can ; in
token that he is worthy to be exiled the compaignie
of all good creatures.
Then Hay deliuered too the earle a littell cedule,
wrytten with the kynge's secretaries hande vnsigned,
the tenor whereof foloweth.
" As to the causes alleged of our commynge into
Englande agayne oure bande and promise (as is alle-
ged) thereto, we aunswere, ower brother was bounde
also farre to us as we to hym. And when we sware
laste before his ambassade, in presence of our coun-
sayll, we expressed specially in oure othe, that we
shoulde kept to our brother, yf oure brother kepte to
vs, and not elles ; we sweare oure brother brake fyrste
to vs, and sythe his breke, we haue requyred dyuerse
tymes hym too amend ; and lately we warned oure
brother as he dyd not vs or he brake, and thys we
take for oure quarrell; and with Godde's grace shall
defende the same at youre affixed tyme, whyche with
Godde's grace we shall abyde."
APPENDIX. 341
And for asmuche as the sayde kynge kepte styll
Rouge Crosse with hym, who was not yet returned,
the same Earle caused the sayde Hay to be in the
kepynge of Syr Humfrey Lysle and Yorke Heraulde,
in the same vyllage, vntyll the tyme that a seruaunte
of the sayde Hay myghte ryde in all haste too the royal
king of Scottes, for the deliveryng of the sayde Rouge
Crosse. Then the erle, joyous of the kynges answer,
returned to his campe, and set forward fyue myle, too
a place called Woiler Hawgh, in suche order of bat-
tayll as even then he should have fought, and there
lodged for that nighte, three littell myles from the
kynge of Scottes ; and betwene the kynge and hym
was a goodly and large corn felde, called Mylfelde,
whyche was a conuenient and fayre grounde for twoo
hostes to fight on ; there euery poste myght perceyue
other,
The morowe beynge Wednesdaye, the vii day of that
moneth, the kynge of Scottes caused hys greate ordi-
naunce to be shotte at the Englishe armye, but it
hurte neither man nor beaste. When the kynge of
Scottes sawe that Hay was deteyned, he sent away
Rouge Crosse to the erle, by whome, and other of the
borders, he was aduertised, that the kynge laye vppon
342 APPENDIX.
the syde of a hyghemountayne, called Floddon, on
the edge of Chevyot, where was but one narowe felde
for any manne to ascende up the sayde hyll to hym ;
and at the foote of the hyll laye all his ordinaunce.
On the one syde of hys armye was a greate marrishe,
and compassed with the hylles of Chevyot, so that he
lay too stronge to be approched of any syde ; excepte
the Englishemen woulde have temerariouslye ronne on
his ordinaunce ; whiche matter well considered by the
Earle and hys sonne, and other of the counsaill there,
they called to theim Rouge Crosse, and sent hym the
nexte daye to the kynge of Scottes, willinge hym too
shewe the kynge, that the sayde Earle, with diverse of
the kynge's nobles and subjectes, hadde auaunced
themselves to geve battayll to hys grace, trustynge
that, accordinge too his promise, he woulde auance
hymself and hys armye to ioyne the battayll, whyche
as yet he hath not done. Wherefore he desyred the
kynge that he myghte have knowledge by none that
daye, whether he of hys noble courage would discende
the hill v/here he laye, and too geve battayll or not :
and yf he saye that 1 shall not knowe his entent, or wyll
saye that he will kepe the ground ; then shewe him that
he perceyueth well that that place is no indifferent
APPENDIX. 343
grounde for twoo armyes too .fighte, and therefor I
will iooke for no mo of his delayes. The same day,
beynge oure Ladyeday, the Natiuite, Rouge Crosse de-
parted to the kynge of Scottes, whyche woulde not
heare hym speke, but sente one of hys seruitours to
heare his message ; whiche seruitour, after he hadde
disclosed the same to the kynge, made aunswer, that
it besemed not an earle after that maner to handle a
kynge, and that he woulde vse no sorcery, nor had no
truste of any grounde.
You have harde before, howe Hay the Scottishe he-
raulde was returned for Rouge Crosse ; and as sone as
Rouge Crosse was returned he was discharged ; but
he taryed with Yorke, an Englishe heraulde, makyng
good chere, and was not returned that mornynge that
Rouge Crosse came on his message j wherefore Rouge
Crosse and hys trompet were detayned by the seruante
of Hay, whiche the daye before went for Rouge Crosse,
assurynge them, that yf Ilaye came not home before
none, that he was not liuynge, and then they shoulde
haue their heddes stryken of ; then Rouge Crosse of-
fered that hys seruaunte shoulde goe for Hay, but it
woulde not be excepted ; but as happe was, Hay came
home before none, and shewed of his gentell entertey-
344 APPENDIX.
ninge, and then Rouge Crosse was delivered, and came
to the Englishe armye, and made reporte as you have
hearde.
Then the Englishemen removed their felde on the
water of Tyll, and so forthe over many hylles and
streytes, marchynge towarde the Scottes on another
syde : and in their sight the Scottes burned certayne
poore vyllages on the other syde of the marishe.
The Englishemen, alwayes leavinge the Scottishe
armye on the lefthande, toke their felde vnder a wood
syde, called Barmer Wood, two myle from the Scottes,
and betwene the two armyes was the ryver of Tyll ;
and there was a littell hyll that saved the Englishe-
men from the gonne shotte, on which hyll the lord
admyrall perfightly sawe and discouered them all.
In the euenynge of the same daye, it was concluded
betwene the carle and hys counsayll, and moste parte
of the armye thereto agreed, that the vauntgarde, with
the ordinaunce, should passe ouer agayne the water of
Tyll, at a bridge called Twysell-bridge, the ix daye of
September ; and the rerewarde passed at Mylforde,
puttynge themselfes as nye as they coulde betwene the
Scottes and Scotlande, and so to geue battayll to the
Scottes on the hyll called Floddon-hyll. Fridaye, the
APPENDIX. 345
sayde nynth daye, the lorde Admyrall, like a vali-
aunt knyghte, passed ouer Twysell bridge wyth the
vantgarde, marchynge towarde hys enemyes ; like di-
ligence was made by the earle for passynge over at
Mylforde wyth the rerewarde,saiynge to hys Captaines,
" Now good fellowes, do lyke Englishemen this daye,
take my parte lyke men, which parte is the kynges
parte ; and I wiste you would not, I wyll in my awne
person fighte with the kynge of Scottes, rather to dye
honourablye by his crueltye, then to lyue in shame,
or that any reproche shoulde be layed to me here-
after/'
To whome they aunswered, that they woulde serve
the kynge and him truely that daye. The Englishe
armye that daye hadde not vitayle, and were fastynge,
and two dayes afore they had onely dronke water, and
could scarce get anye other sustenaunce for money ;
and yet they kept array on horsebacke from fyve of
the clocke in the mornynge till foure of the clocke at
after none, and were alwayes in the sighte of the
Scottes.
The kynge of Scottes perceyuinge the Englishe-
men marchinge towarde Scotlande, thought that they
woulde have entered into Scotlande, and burne and
316 APPENDIX.
forray the plentifull countray, called the Marche ; for
so was he made beleue by an Englisheman, named
Gyles Musgraue, whyche was familiar with the kyng
of Scottes, and dyd it for a pollecie to cause hym to
come doune from the hyll. Wherefore, the sayde
kynge caused his tentes to be removed to another hyll
in grate haste, least the Englishemen shoulde have
taken the same hyll ; and at there departynge they
sette fyer on theyr litter and other fylthie ordure, ac-
cordynge to their custome ; and of the fyer and smol-
der dyd ryse suche a smoke, so thicke and so darke,
that the one hoste coulde not perceyue the other ; for
the wynde dyd drive the smoke betwene the two ar-
myes, the Scottes euer kepynge the heyght of the hyll
on the edge of the Chevyot, and the Englishemen pas-
sed forward styll in the lowe grounde, and euer in the
couert of the smoke, in so muchethat bothe the hostes
were very nere together, within the space of a quarter
of a myle, before one of them could perceyue another
for the smoke. * Then, when the Englishemen had
* Hollinshed attributes this manoeuvre to the generalship of
James ; who, having determined to descend from his impreg-
nable camp on the mountain of Floddon, and give battle to
APPENDIX. 34T
passed a littell brooke, called Sandyforde, whyche is
but a man's step over, and that the smoke was passed,
and the ayre faire and cleare, eche army myghte
playnlie see one another at hande. Then the Lorde
Admyrall perceyued foure great battayles of the
Scottes all on foote, with longe speres, lyke Moorish
pykes ; whyche Scottes furnished them warlike, and
bent theim to the forwarde, whyche was conducted by
the Lorde Admirall, whyche perceuynge that, sent to
hys father, the Earle of Surrey, his Agnus Dei, that
honge at hys breste, that in all haste he would ioyne
battayll, even with the front or breste of the vant-
garde ; for the forward alone was not able to en-
countre the whole battayll of the Scottes. The Earle
perceyuynge well the sainge of hys sonne, and seynge
the Scottes ready to discende the hyll, auaunsed him-
selfe and hys people forwarde, and brought them
equall in grounde with the forward on the left hande,
even at the bront or breste of the same, at the foot
the Earl, obtained, under covert of the smoke, possession of an
advantageous eminence, which the Earl seemed desirous to
occupy. It was probably the same hill from which Lenox and
Argyle were dislodged by Sir Edward Stanley.
348 APPENDIX.
of the hyll called Brainstem ; the Englishe army
stretched east and west, and their backes northe, and
the Scottes in the southe before theim, on the forsayde
hyll called Bramston. f
Then oute brast the ordinaunce on bothe sydes,
with fyre flamrae and hydeous noyse ; and the master
gonner of the Englishe parte slew the master-gonner
of Scotlande, and bet all hys men from their ordi-
■j- The J English army, while on the march, formed two large
bodies, the forward and the rear, commanded by the lord ad-
miral and his father. Each division had two wings, viz. the
Lord Admiral, on his right Sir Edmond Howard, and on his
left Sir Marmaduke Constable ; the Earl of Surrey, on the
right Lord Dacres, and on the left Sir Edward Stanley. The
attack seems to have been led on in the same order; though
after the Lord Admiral requested his father's aid, the rear ad-
vanced, and left the forward under the Lord Admiral to the
right. Lord Dacres, however, kept his situation, which, du-
ring the march, was immediately behind Sir Edmond How-
ard ; whence he, and, under his orders, Bastard Hearon, were
enabled to relieve Sir Edmond, when discomfited by Home*
We are not so clear where Sir Marmaduke Constable fought,
and whether his corps was joined to that of the admiral, or of
Sir Edward Stanley. The former is more probable : though as
his body formed, during the march, as it were the van of Sir
Edward, the latter supposition is by no means impossible. It
was principally this difference between the order of marching
and that of the battle, which has confused the historians so
much.
APPENDIX 549
naunce, so that the Scottishe ordinaunce dyd no
harme too the Englishemen ; but the Englishemen's
artyllerie shotte into the. myddes of the kynges bat-
tayll, and slewe many persones ; which seynge, the
kynge of Scottes and his noble men, J made the more
haste too come too joynenge ; and so all the foure
battayles in maner discended the hyll at once. And
after that the shotte was done, whiche they defended
with pauishes, thei came to handestrokes, and were
encontred seuerally, as you shall here.
J After introducing a speech of James to his army, Hollin-
shed proceeds with more spirit than his brother chronicler i
" He had scarce made an end of his tale, but the soldiers,
with great noise and clamour, cried, ' Forward ! Up on them!'
shaking their weapons, in sign of an earnest desire they had
(as then they shewed), to buckle with the I nglishmen.
Whereupon, without delaie, King James putting his horse
from him, all other nobles as rneane men did the like, that the
danger being equal, as well to the greatest as to the meanest,
and all hope of succour taken awaie, which was to be loked
for by flight, they might be the more willing to shew their
manhood, sith their safety onelie rested in the edges and points
of their weapons." King James, defective in many of the
qualifications which constitute a complete general, seems to
have had the talent of inspiring the soldiers around him with
an enthusiasm not exceeded by his own. Could he have im-
parted the same to the wings of his army, the slaughter would
have been greater, but the event far less fatal to the Scottish
cause.
350 APPENDIX.
Fyrste, On the Englishe syde next the west, was
Syr Edmonde Howard, knyghte, marshall of the hoste,
chief capitayne of a winge on the ryghte hande of
oure vantgarde, and was encountryd with the Cham-
berlayne of Scotlande with hys battayle of speares, on
foote, to the number of ten thousande at the leaste,
whiche fought valiauntly, so that they by force caused
the little wynge to flye ; and the same Syr Edmonde
thre tymes felled to the grounde, and left alone,
sauynge his standarde berar, and twoo of hys ser-
uantes, * to whome came Jhon Heron, bastarde, sore
hurte, saiyinge, there was never noble man's sone so
lyke too be loste as you be thys daye ; for all my
* The defeat of Sir Edmoncl Howard seems to have been
complete, though he certainly was attacked by a force supe-
rior to his own. Indeed, his corps seems to have been entire-
ly destroyed or taken prisoners. His misfortune was attribu-
ted, probably with injustice, caused by the great jealousy
between the houses of Stanley and Howard ever since the
battle of Bosworth, to the Cheshiremen under his command ;
as appears bj' the following passage of Halle : — " The kynge
had a secrete letter, that the Cheshire men fledde from Sir
tdmond Howarde, whyche letter caused greate hearteburn-
ing and manye woordes ; but the kyng thankefully accepted
al thynge, and would no man to be dispraysed." See also the
ensuing article of this Appendix, where the circumstance is
related with very romantic, and probably unfounded embel-
lishments.
APPENDIX. S51
hurts, I shal here lyue and dye with you ; and there
the sayde Sir Edmonde Howarde was in a great daun-
ger and jeopardy of his lyfe, and hardelye escaped ;
and yet as he was goinge to the bodye of the vant-
garde, he met with Davy Home, and slew him wyth
hys awne hande, and so came to the vantgard.
Secondely, Eastwarde from the sayde battayle was
the Lorde Admyrall with the vantgarde, wyth whome
encountred the Earles of Crafforde and Montroos, ac-
compaygned with many lordes, knightes, and gentle-
men, all wyth speres on foote ; but the Lorde Admy-
rall and hys compaignie acquyted themselfes so well,
and that with pure fightyng, that thei brought to
grounde a great number, and both the Earles slayne.
Thirdely, Eastwarde from the Lord Admyrall was
the Earle of Surrey, Capitayne-generall, to whose
standarde the Kynge of Scotlande in hys owne person
marched, beinge accompaygned with many bishoppes,
earles, barons, knyghtes, and gentlemen of the realme,
with a great number of commons, all chosen men,
with speres on foote, whiche were the most assured ly-
est harnesed that hath bene sene, and that the tallest
and goodlyest personages with all, and they abode the
most daungerous shot of arrowes, which sore them
noyed; and yet, except it hit them in some bare
352 APPENDIX.
place, it dyd them no hurt. After the shotte ended,
the battayll was cruell, none spared other ; and the
kynge himself foughte valiauntly. O what a noble
and triumphant courage was thys, for a kynge to
fyghte in a battayl as a meane souldier ! But what
auayled his strong harnes, the puyssaunce of hys
mightye champions, with whome he descended the
hyll, in whome he so muche trusted, that with hys
stronge people and great number of men, he was able,
as he thought, to have vanquished that day the great-
est prynce of the world, if he had ben there as the
Erie of Surrey was ; or els he thought to do such an
hygh enterprice hymselfe in his person, that shoulde
surmount the enterprises of all other princes. But,
howsoeuer it happened, God gave the stroke, and he
was no more regarded then a poore souldier ; for al
went one waye. So that of his owne battaill none
escaped, but Syr William Scot, knyght, his chaun-
celour, and Syr Jhon Forman, knight, his seriaunt
porter, whiche were taken prisoners, and wyth great
difficultie saved. This may be a great myrror to al
prynces, how that they adventure themselfes in such
a battaill. *
* " There were on either part a number of tall men of
bodie, chosen foorth of purpose by the capteins, for the good
APPENDIX, 353
Fourthly, Eastwarde was Syr Edwarde Stanley,
knight, capitayn of the left wynge, wyth the sayde
earle, whyche clame vp to the toppe of the hyll cal*
led Bramston, or the Scottes wyste, and wyth hym
opinion conceived of their hardie valiancie ; and the battell
betwixt them seemed long time doubtfull and variable, nowe
one while favourable to the one part, and another while to
the other. The king himselfe on foot, even in the foremost
ranke, fought right valiantlie, incouraging his people, as well
by example as exhortation, to doo their devoirs. JN either
did the Earle of Surrie for his part faile in the dutie of a right
worthie generall. But while the battell was thus foughten in
most earnest maner about the standards, with doubtfull chance
of victorie, the Lord Howard and Sir Edward Stanleie having
vanquished the enimies in either wing, returned to the middle-
ward ; and finding them ther thus occupied, they set on, in
two parts seuerallie, with great violence. At the same time,
the Lord Dacres came with his horsemen uppon the backs of
the Scots ; so that they being thus assailed behind and before,
and on either side, were constrained (as inuironed about), to
fight in a round compasse. King James, as he beheld Sir
Adam Forman, his standard-bearer, beaten downe, thought
suerlie then, there was no waie for him but death, and that
even out of hand. Wherefore, to deliuer himselfe from such
despitefull reproch as was like to follow, he rushed foorth
into the thickest prease of his enemies ; and there fighting in
most desperate wise, was beaten downe and slaine. And a
little beside him, there died with like obstinate wilfulness, or
(if you list so to term it) manhood, diuerse honorable prelates,
as the archbishop of St Andrewes, and two other bishops, be-
sides foure abbats; also of lords and knights of honor a six-
and-thirtie." — Hollinshed. Though the account of this
7.
354 APPENDIX.
encontred the Earles of Huntley, Lennoux, and Ar-
gile, with a great number of Scottes, whyche were
sore fought vvyth all ; whyche perceyuing, the Earle
of Huntley toke a horse and saued hymselfe ; yf he
had taryed, he had bene lykely to have gone with hys
historian is not so minute as that of Halle, he bears much
more ample testimony to the valour of the Scots. While we
view with detestation the precipitate flight of the wings under
Crawford and Montrose, and Lenox and Argyle, the two lat-
ter of whom occupied an eminence, upon which the king in a
great measure depended, but from which they were driven by
the archers of Stanley, who cannot have been very numerous ;
we must bestow our admiration on the valiant king and his
nobles, who, hemmed in on every side by all the five columns of
the English, preferred a heroic death to the insulting taunts of
Henry VIII. and his general. The following is the Gazette
account of this part of the battle : — " Le Roy d'Escosse vint,
avec une tresgrant puissance, sur le d'Conte de Surrey : lequel
Corrie avoit a sa main gauche le filz du sr. Darcy, et eulx
deulx porterent tout le fes de ceste bataille. A laquelle ba-
taille le d'ftoy d'Escosse fut tue dedens la longueur d'une
lance du d. Conte de Surrey ; et plusieurs nobles gens y fu-
rent tuez, et nuls prins prisonniers des Escossois dedens les
deux batailles. Et a Theure de la bataille le Contes de Ly-
nouxe et Argille, avec leur puissance se joignierent a l'encon-
tre de messire Edouard Standley, et les d' Contes et leurs gens,
furent contrainctz deulx metre en fuyte." It was probably
the death of Crawford, Aiontrose, Lennox, and Argyle, which
caused the flight of their two wings; while those of Huntley
and Home seem to have been retained in some order, by these
chiefs surviving the shock.
APPENDIX. 355
compaignie. * Suche as fled, the sayde Syr Edwarde
and his people folovved them over the same grounde,
where the Earles battle firste ioyned, and founde ther
* The situation and conduct of the Earl of Huntley is
singularly involved in mystery and contradiction. By some,
he is said to have commanded a corps, placed between those
of Home, and of Crawford and Argyle; some join his forces
to those of the former, and some to the latter division ; while
Halle and Hollinshed place him with the opposite wing of the
army. The former supposition is most probably true. In-
deed, the mention of Dacre's attack upon Huntley and Home
in his letter to the council, places it almost beyond doubt. It
is, however, singular, that the banner of the Earl was taken
by Sir Philip IVJolyneux, a Cheshire knight. The greater part
of the forces of that county were with Stanley ; though a few
hundred had been added to Sir Edmond Howard's wing, who
were accused, in letters to Henry VIII. of deserting their
commander, and causing his overthrow. At any rate, they
would not be likely to take the standard of Huntley, who was
evidently victorious, while he fought on the left wing. The
contradictions will, however, immediately be solved, by ad-
mitting the following very probable supposition : — King
James, after the wings of his army were destroyed, was sur-
rounded and attacked by all the different corps of the English
army. Stanley having routed Eennox and Argyle, descended
the hill, and attacked the king, probably from behind. If
Huntley, after his triumph, as ritscottie relates, stood aloof
with Home, and, seeing his monarch in such a perilous situa-
tion, after the highly criminal refusal of the former to assist
him, again charged the English, he was not unlikely to en-
counter Sir Edward Stanley; and thus the contradictory ac-
counts of Pitscottie and Halle, and the taking of his standard
by a knight of Stanley's corps, would be accounted for.
356 APPENDIX.
the Scottes, whyche were by the earles battaill slayne
before, and sodainly left the chace, and fell a spell-
ing, and spoyled the kynge of Scottes, and many that
were slayne in his battaill, but they knew him not,
and founde a crosse and certain thynges of hys ; by
reason wherof, some saide that he was slayne by that
wyng, whyche coulde not be true ; for the prisoners
of Scotland testified, that the kynges battayll fought
onely with the Earles battels ; but for a truthe this
wyng dyd very yaliauntly ; wherfore it was thought
that the sayd Syr Edwarde myght that day not have
bene missed.
All these iiij battels, in maner fought at one tyme,
and were determined in effect, littell in distance of the
beginnyng and endynge of any of them before the
other, sauyng that Syr Edward Stanley, which was
the last that fought, for he came vp to the toppe of
the hyll, and there foughte with the Scottes valiaunt-
ly, and chaced them doune the hyll ouer that place
where the kynges battaill ioyned. Besyde these iiij
battayles of the Scottes were twoo other battaylls,
whyche never came to handestrokes. *
* These two battles were, as Hollinshcd informs us, Hunt-
ley's and Home's divisions ; Halle, in this circumstance, as
APPENDIX. 357
Thus, through the power of God, on Fridaye, beyng
the ix daye of September, in the yere of our Lord
MDxiii, was James the iiii. Kyng of Scottes, slayn at
Bramstone (chiefly by the power of the Earle of Surrey,
lieutenaunt for Kynge Henry the viii. Kynge of Eng-
lande, whyche then lay at the sege before Tornay),
and wyth the sayde kynge were slayne,
The Archebishop of Saynct Androwes, the kynge's
bastard sonne,
The Bishop of the Isles,
The Abbot of Inchaffrey,
The Abbot of Kilwenny.
Erles,
Therle Mountroos,
well as in his assumption that the different divisions fought al-
most at one time, except that of Stanley, is misled by his strong-
ly marked partiality. The king was certainly the last whose
division kept ground, if we except Home and Huntley. The
forces of the latter were commanded under him by his two
brothers, Adam, Earl of Sutherland, and William Gordon of
Gight, the latter of whom was killed. (See Gordon's His-
tory of the Ancient, Noble, and Illustrious Family of Gordon,
2 vol. Edin. 1726. Gordoniorum et Sutherlandorum Historia,
MS. \. circa 1627.)
358 APPENDIX.
Therle of Crafford,
Therle of Arguyle, *
Therle of Lennoux,
Therle of Glencarre,
Therle of Katnes,
Therle of Castelles,
The Erie of Bothwell,
The Erie Arrell, Constable of Scotlande,
The Erie Adill,
The Erie Athell,
The Erie of Morton.
LORDES.
The Lord Louet,
The Lord Forbos,
The Lord Elueston,
The Lord Roos,
* In 1783, a gold ring was found on the field of battle,
which had the following inscription in Norman French : —
" On est nul si loiauls amans, qui se poet garder des maux
disans." No lovers so faithful" as to be able to guard them-
selves against evil speakers Between every two words, and
at the beginning of each line, is a boar's head. This being a
crest of the Campbells, it is not improbable that the ring wa»
that of the Earl of Argyle.
APPENDIX. 350
The Lord Inderby,
The Lord Sentclere,
The Lord Maxwell, and hys iiij brethren.
The Lord Daunley,
The Lord Seyrapill,
The Lord Borthyck,
The Lord Bogony,
The Lord Arskyll,
The Lord Blakkater,
The Lord Cowyn.
Knyghtes and Gentlemen.
Sir Jhon Dowglasse,
Cutbert Home, lord of Fastcastel,
Sir Alexander Seton,
Sir Dauy Home,
Mayster Jhon Graunt,
Sir Dunkin Caufelde,
Sir Saunder Lowder,
Sir George Lowder,
Mayster Marshall,
Mayster Keye,
Mayster Eliot,
Mayster Cawel, clerck of the Chauncery,
360 APPENDIX.
The Deane of Ellester,
Mack, Kene,
Mack, Clene,
And many other gentlemen, which be vnknowen, be-
cause no officer of armes of Scotlande woulde come to
make serche for them ; and yf the daye had bene
longer by thre houres (for it was foure of the clocke
at after none or the battayles ioyned), or that the
Englishemen had had vitayles, so that they myght
have bydden styll together, they had not alonelye
made the greatest dystresse of Scottes by death, and
takynge, that the lyke hath not bene sene in one day ;
but also wythin a litle while might have put the
realme of Scotlande in suche a misery and trouble,
that for ever they shoulde haue bene ware how to en-
ter the realme of Englande, and specially the kynge's
beynge absente ; for the Englyshemen wanted no good
wyll, for of the Scottes they slewe twelfe thousande *
at the leaste, of the beste gentlemen and flower of
Scotlande ; and of the Englysh syde were slayne and
* Hollinshed seems more inclined to the number 8000,
though he mentions the statement of some to be 12,000.
APPENDIX. 361
taken not xv. c. men, as it appered by the bok of
wages, when the souldiours were payed. * Thus, the
Erie of Surrey accomplyshed the promyse at hys
daye prefyxed wyth the kinge of Scottes, to hys great
fame and honour.
After that the felde was foughte, and the Scottes
fled, many Englyshemen folowed them into Scotlande,
and were so farre that they wiste not whiche waye to
returne, and so were taken prysoners of the Scottes
that were in the ij battailes that fled first, and neuer
fought. Also dyuerse were taken by the Lorde Cham-
berlayne of Scotlande, which fought with the wyng of
Sir Edmond Howard, and were carried with hym to
the number of sixtye. Of the Scottes that fledde, some
* Though Hollinshed gives the same number of killed on
the side of the English, which certainly is far below truth,
he allow* the loss to have been very severe. The following
are his words : — " Though the victorie thus remained with
the Englishmen, yet they bought it deere, loosing no small
number of their people, as well those that were slaine in the
field, as of others that were taken prisoners; for the Scots
fought very stoutlie, and gave it not over for a little, inso-
much that there were taken and slaine about fiftene hundred
men, as appeared by the booke of wages, when the souldier*
were paid."
362 APPENDIX.
passed ouer the Twede at Caudestreme Foorde, and
other by the drye marches, durynge the tyme of the
fyghte ; and the nyghte after, manye menne loste
their horses, and suche stoffe as they lefte in their
tentes and pauillions, by the robbers of Tindale and
Tiviotdale.
The Lorde Dacre, wyth hys company, stode styl
all daye unfoughten with all. * When the felde was
done, and the skoute watche broughte woorde, that
there was no more appearaunce of the Scottes, but
all were returned, the earle thanked God wyth humble
harte, and called to hym certaine Lordes and other
gentlemen, and them .made knightes ; as Sir Edmond
* This accusation against Dacre, for inactivity, is mention-
ed as incorrect, by Hollinshed. In the notes to the present
publication, it will be found disproved completely, both from
the original gazette of the battle, and from Dacre's letter to
the council. It is remarkable that three bastards fought un-
der the English banners, viz. Bastard Dacre, a natural son of
Lord Dacre, who, for his services at Collommoss, obtained a
grant of the priory of Lanercost ; Bastard Musgrave, natural
son of Sir Itichard Musgrave, of Scaleby Castle, near Carlisle,
who distinguished himself at the same battle, and was, in con-
sequence, made land-sergeant of Gilsland ; and the celebrated
Bastard Heron, an account of whom will be found in the
notes.
APPENDIX. 363
Howard, his sonne, and the Lord Scrope, Sir William
Percy, and manye other. Then the Earle and the
Lorde Admirall departed to Barmer-wodde, and ap-
poincted Sir Philippe Tilney, knighte, with the com-
paignye of the Lorde Admirall, and the compaignie of
the Lorde Scrope of Bolton, the Lorde Latymer, olde
Sir Marmaduke Constable, Sir William Percy, Sir
Nicholas Applyard, and their compaignies, and a fewe
other, to kepe the place where the felde was, for
sauynge of the Englyshe ordinaunce, and the ordy-
naunce that was taken from the Scottes, which was
fyve great curtalles, twoo great culuerynges, foure
sacres, and syxe Serpentynes, as fayre ordinaunce as
hathe bene, beside other small peces. * Wei knowen
* The most disastrous consequence of the battle to the
Scots, was the sudden loss of such a numerous and high-spirit-
ed nobility. The loss of the English must have been very
considerable, when we consider the rapidity with which Sur-
rey deserted the field of combat ; and, hastening to Newcastle,
left the neighbourhood to the depredations of Uome, who ap-
pears even to have threatened the body of the English ap-
pointed as a guard for the ordnance. If the English general
had only lost 1500 men, he would certainly have pursued his
advantages into Scotland, which the magistrates of Edin-
burgh seem to have apprehended.
364 APPENDIX.
it was by them that fought, and also reported by pry-
soners of Scotlande, that their kynge was taken or
slayne ; but his bodye was not founde tyll the nexte
daye, because al the meane people, as well Scottes as
Englysh, were strypped out of their apparell as they
laye at the felde ; yet at the laste he was founde by
the Lorde Dacres, who knewe hym well by hys pryuye
t;ookens, in that same place where the battayle of the
Earle of Surrey and hys fyrste ioyned together.
Thys kynge had diuerse deadelye woundes, and in
especyall one wyth an arowe, and another with a byll,
as apered when he was naked. After that the bodye
of the kinge of Scottes was founde and broughte too
Barwicke, the Earle shewed it too Sir William Scot,
hys chaunceller, and Sir Jhon Forman, his seriante-
porter, whyche knewe hym at the fyrste syghte, and
made greate lamentacyon. Then was the bodye bow-
elled, embawmed, and cered, and secretelye amongest
other stuflfe conveyed to Newcastell. But the same
daye the Lorde Admirall came to the felde, and there
some Scottes apered on an hyll ; but William Black-
enall, whyche was the chyeffe doar and ruler of all
the ordynaunce, shott suche a peale, that the Scottes
fledde, orelles the Lorde Admirall had bene in greate
APPENDIX. 365
ieopardye : and then all the ordinaunce was brought©
in sauetye to the castel of Citel, and there remayned
for a tyme. After thys noble vyctorye, the Earle
wrote fyrste to the Quene, whyche had raysed a great
power to resiste the sayde kinge of Scottes, of the
wynnynge of the battaylle ; for then the bodie of the
kynge of Scottes was not fownde, and she yet beynge
at the towne of Buckingham, had woorde the next
daye after, that the kynge of Scottes was slayne, and
a parte of hys coate-armure to her sente, for whiche
vyctorye she thanked God ; and so the Earle, after
that the nor the parte was set in a quyetnes, returned
to the Quene wyth the deade bodye of the Scottysha
king, and brought it to Richemonde.
[ 366 3
XII.
A Ballate of the Battalle of Floden Feeld, foughte be-
twene the Earle of Surrey and the King of Skates,
Of this very singular ballad, two copies exist in the Bri-
tish Museum (MSS Harl. 293 and 3^7,) which have been
carefully collated, and the principal variations will be
found at the bottom of the page. The Editor did not ob-
tain the copy till he was fortunately enabled to transcribe
the poem himself, which prevented its being placed in the
poetical part of this Appendix. The subject is slightly
touched upon by Holiushed, and the style similar to the
more unpolished kind of .Northern Ballads. That the au-
thor was an adherent to the house of Derby is very evi-
dent ; and whatever degree of credit may be assigned to the
less marvellous parts of the composition, the concluding act
of subjecting the Earl of Surrey (already created Duke of
Norfolk) to whatever punishment his rival chose to inflict,
must stagger our belief. From the two concluding lines it
would appear, that the poem was produced after the death
of Thomas, Earl of Derby, and in the reign of Queen Mary
or Queen Elizabeth.
Now lette vs talke of the Mounte of Floddene !
Forsoothe such is our fortune and chaunce ;
APPENDIX. 567
And let vs tell of what tythance the Earle of Surrey
Sente to our kynge into France.
The earle he hathe a writynge made,
And surely sealed it with his hande ;
From the Newe Castelle v,ppon Tynne
The Herould passed from the land.
And after at Callys he arriued,
Lyke a noble lorde of greate degree; 10
And then to Tyrwine soon he highed,
There he thought to have found King Henry.
But there the walles were beatene doune,
And our Englishe souldieres thearin tayne;
Sithe to Torney the waye he nome, *
Whearas laye the Emperor of Almayne.
And theare he found the Prince of Englande ;
Blessed Jesu preserve that name !
When the Hcrold came before our kynge,
Lowly he kneeled vppon his knee. 20
* i. e. toke.
368 APPENDIX.
And said : " Christe, Chrystyan kynge, that on the crose
died,
Noble Henry this day thy speed may be V
The first word that the prince did mynge,
Sayd : " Welcome Herrold out of England to me I
il Howe fares my leedes, * how fares my lordes,
My knightes and swyers in their degree }" —
" Here gretteth you welle your owne leavetenant,
The honourable Earle of Surrey.
He byddeth you in Fraunce to venter your chaunce,
For slayne is your brother Kynge Jamy ; 30
And at lovlye London ye shall hym fynde,
My comlye prynce in the presence of thee."
Then bespeke our comlye kynge,
And said : " Whoe did fighte, and who did flee ?
And who bare him beste vppon the Mounte of Flo-
den ? 35
And whoe was false, and whoe was true to me ?"
* Probably lieges.
13
APPENDIX, 30<>
" Lancashire and Cheshire/' said the messenger,
u Cleane they bene both fledd and gone :
There was neuer a man, that longed to the Earle of
Derbye,
That durste looke his enetnye vpon." 40
Still in a studye stoode* our nowble kynge,
And he toke the wryting in his hand :
Shortlye the sealle he did vnclose,
And radly red as he yt founde. f
Then bespeake our nowble kynge, 45
And he caled vpon his chevallrye,
And said : " Whoe will feche me the kynge of Man,!{:
The honourable Thomas Earle of Derbye ?
" He may take Lancashire and Cheshire bothe,
That he hath caled cheefe of chevalrye : 50
Nowe falsly are they fled and gone ;
Not one of them is true unto me."
* MS. Harl. 293. reads stand,
+ MS. 291. toulde. To suit the rhyme we might read, fand.
$ Alluding to the Earl of Derby's sovereignty over the Isle
of Man.
2 A
370 APPENDIX.
Then bespoke Sir Rauphe Egerton, the knyghte,
And low lye kneled vpon his knee,
And said : " My souereigne Kynge Henrye, 55
Yf it like you my souereigne lorde to pardon me !
" Yf Lancashire and Cheshire been fled and gon,
Of those tythandes we may be vnfayne ;
But 1 dare laye my lyve and lande,
Yt was for wante of their captayne. 60
For yf the Earle of Derbye our captayne had bene,
And vs to leade in our arreye,
Then noe Lancashire nor Cheshire man,
That ever would have fled awaye."
" See yt proved well, said our nowble kynge, 65
By hym that dearly dyed on tree !
For nowe, when he had the greatest neede,
Falslye then served they to me."
Then spake William Breerton, knighte,
And lowlye kneeled his prynce before, 70
And said : " My souereigne Kynge Henry the eighte,
And * your grace sett by vs soe ly till store,
* And, for an, if.
APPENDIX. 371
11 Wheresoeuer ye come in feilde to feighte,
Sett the Earle of Derbye and vs before ;
Then shall ye see, whether we fighte or flee, 75
True or false whether we be borne." *
Compton rowned with our kynge anon,
Said : " Goe we and leave the eowardes righte !"—
M Here is my gloue !" quoth Egerton,
" Compton, yf thou be a knighte, 80
" Take my gloue, and with me feighte,
Man to man, yf thou wilt turne agayne !
For yf our prynce were not present righte,
The one of vs two shoulde be slayne;
And neuer foote besyde the ground gon, 85
Vntyll the one deade shoulde bee !"
Our prynce was moved thereat anon
And returned hym right tenyslye. f
And to hym came, one the other syde,
The honorable Earle of Derbye ; go
* Whether that we are, MS. 293.
+ Angerly. MS. Harl. 293. Tenyslye, angry, from tene, an-
ger.
372 APPENDIX.
And when he before our prynce came,
Lowlye he kneled vpon his knee,
And said : " Jesu Christ, that on the crosse deed.,
This day novvble Henry thy speede maye be V
The firste wurde that our kynge sayde, * 95
Was, " Welcome kynge ot Man, and Earle of Der-
bye!
" How lykeste thou Cheshire and Lancashire bothe,
Which was counted cheefe of chevallrye ?
Falsly nowe are they fled and gon ;
Neuer a one of them is true to me !"— 100
" Yf that be soe," said the earle then,
" My liege thereof I am not fayne ;
My comlye prynce, rebuke not me,
I was not there to be theire captayne.
" Yf I had bene theire captayne/' the earle said
then, 105
" I durste haue layed bothe lyffe and land,
He neuer came out of Lancashire nor Cheshire,
That would haue fled a foote beside the grounde.
* Speake. MS. Harl. 367.
APPENDIX. 373
" But yf yt like your nowble grace
A lytill boone to graunte to me, 110
Lett me haue Lancashire and Cheshire botlie, —
I desyre no more helpe truly e, —
" Yf I fayle to brcn vp all Scotteland,
Take and hange me vpon a tree !
I shall conquer all to Parys gate 115
Both the comlye castylls and towers heigh.
Whereas the walles they bene so stronge,
Lancashire and Cheshire shall beate them downe V —
" By my father's sowle," then said our kynge,
" And by hym that dyed on the roode, 120
" Thou shalt neuer have Lancashire and Cheshire righte,
At thyne own obedience for to be !
Cowards in a feilde fellye* will feighte
Agayne to wynn the victorye." —
" We were neuer cowardes," said the earle, 125
" By him that derive died for me !
Whoe broughte your father at Melforde Haven ?
(King Henry the Seventh forsothe was he.)
* Freely. MS. 393.
374 APPENDIX.
" Throughe theturne of Fortune* we did him brynge,
And soe conveyed hym to Shrewesburye, 130
And soe we crowned hym a nowble kynge,
And Richard that day we demed to dye."—
Our prynce was greatlye moved at that worde,
And retvrned hym hastelye on the same.
To comforte the earle came on the other syde 135
The doughtye Edward, Duke of Bokingham.
" Plucke vp thy harte, brother Standley,
And lett noe thynge greve the ;
For I dare lay my lyffe to wede, f
Yt is a false wryting of the Earle of Surrey. 140
Synce Kynge Rychard-feylde J he neuer loved thee,
For thyne vncle slewe his father there,
And dearlye demed hym to dye :
Sir Christofer Savage his standarte away did beare."
" Alias, brother !" said the Earl of Derbye, 145
" Woe be the tyme, that I was made knyghte,
* Both the MSS. concur in reading " the Towne of For-
tune." The correction was, however, obvious.
+ To weed, to pawn, J Bosworthfield.
APPENDIX. 375
Or were ruler of any land thereby, *
Or euer had manhoode in feilde to fighte !
So boulde men in battell, as were they,
Forsoothe had neither lorde nor swayne. 150
Farewell, myne vncle Sir Edward Standley,
Farewell ! I wote that thou artef slayne.
" Surlye whiles that thy lyffe would laste,
Thou wouldest neuer schunte besides the playne j
Nor John Standley that childe so yonge, 155
Well I wott nowe thou arte slayne.
Farewell, Ryghley ! Coward was thou none !
Olde Sir Henrye, the goode knyghte,
I lefte thee ruler of Lathum,
To be my Deputye bothe day and nighte. l60
" Farewell Towneley, that was so true,
And the nowble Hasston of Mydelton,
And the sad Sothewarke,J that euer was sure,
Farewell ! I wot that thou arte gon.
* This last word does not occur in MS. Harl. 293 ; and in
MS. 367, has been added by another, but an ancient hand.
t Altered in MS. 367, to thou weart slayne.
I Sotheworthe. MS. 293.
376 APPENDIX.
Farewell, Hasston vnder Lyne, l65
And manlye Mollenax, for thou art slayne !
For dowtless whilest your lyves woulde laste,
Ye wolde neuer schunte beside the playne.
" Farewell, Alderton, with the leaden mall !
Well 1 knowe thou arte demed to dye. 17©
I may :a.ke m^ leave nowe at you all :
The fl( wre of manhoode is gon from me.
Farewell, Sir John Boothe of Barton, knyghte !
Well I knowe that thou arte slayne. :
For, whyles thy lyffe woulde laste to feighte, 175
Thou would neuer beside the playne.
" Farewell, Butteler and Sir Bolde !
Sure ye have bene euer to me :
And so 1 knowe that still you woulde,
Vnsiayne now yf you had bee. 180
Farewell, Christofer Savage the wighte !
Well I knowe that thou art slayne;
For, whyles thy lyffe woulde laste to feighte,
Thou wouldest neuer beside the playne.
" Farewell, Dutton and Sir Downe ! 185
Ye haue bene euer true to me.
APPENDIX. 377
Farewell the Baron of Kynderton,
Beside the feilde thou woulde not flee !
Farewell, Fitton of Gowsewurthe !
Other thou arte taken or slayne : 190
For, dowteles, whyles thy lyffe woulde laste,
Thou wouldest neuer besyde the playne V * —
As they stoode talkyng together there,
The duke and the earle trulye
Came to comforte hym the true Talbott, 195
And the nowble Earle of Shrewesburye :
" Plucke vp thy harte, sonne Thomas, and be merye,
And lette noe tythands greve the !
Am not I godfather to our kynge ?
Myne owne godson, forsothe, is hee." 200
He toke the Duke of Buckingham by the arme,
And the Earle of Shrewesburye by the other :
* This, and the ensuing catalogue of exclamations, are very
similar to those which occur frequently in the metrical ro-
mances ; and similar enumerations may also be found in abun-
dance in the Italian romance writers. — See The Squire oflowe
Degre, PulcVs Morgante Maggioret &c.
J? 8 APPENDIX.
" To parte with you yt is my harme :
Farewell, my father and my brother !
Farewell, Lancaster, that ly till towne ! 205
Farewell, nowe for euer and aye !
Many poore men may praye for my sowlle,
When they lye weping in the waye. *
" Farewell, Latham ! that brighte bower;
Nyne towers thou bearest on hye, 210
And other nyne thou bearest in the vtter walles :
Within the may be lodged kynges three.
Farewell, Knoweslay, that lityll tower,
Vndernethe the holtes so whore !
Euer when I thinke on that brighte bower, 215
Wyte me not, f though my heart be sore,
11 Farewell, Tockestaffe ! that trustie parke,
And the faire rever that renneth there beside :
There was I wonte to chasse the hynde and harte,
Now therein I wyll neuer abyde. 220
* MS. 36T, reads, lawn; MS. 293, lane. The correction is
obvious, as it restores the rhyme and the alliteration.
+ Blame me not.
APPENDIX. 319
Farewell, bolde Byrkenhead ! there was I borne,
Within the abbey and that monestrye ;
The sweete covent for me may morne :
I gaue to you tythe of Beeston trulye.
" Farewell, Westchester, for euer more, 225
And the Watergate, it is myne owne I
I gave a mase the sergeant to weare,
To wayt on the mayor, as yt is knowen.
Wyll I neuer come that cyte within ?
But, sonne Edward, thou maiest yt clayme of righte.
Farewell, West Harden ! I may call the myn ; 231
Knyght and lorde I was of great myghte.
" Swete sonne Edward, white bokes thou make,
And euer haue petye on the poore comyntye.
Farewell, Hope and Hopes Dalle ! 23£
Moulde and Mouldes Dale, God be with the !
I may take my leaue with a heavy e cheare :
For within the wyll I neuer be I"—
As they stood talking togeder there,
The duke and the lordis trulye, 240
380 APPENDIX.
Came James Garsye, a yeoman of the gard,
That had bene broughte vp with the Earl of Derbye.
Lyke the dyvell with his fellowes he had fared ;
He sticked two and wounded three :
After, with his sworde drawen in his hande, 245
He fled to the nowble Earle of Derbye.
" Stande vp Jame," the earle said,
" Theis tythandes nothyng lyketh me !
" I haue seen the daye I could have saved the;
Suche thirtie men yf thou had slayne; 250
And now, yf I shoulde speake for the,
Sure thou were for to be slayne.
I wyll ones desire my brethren echon
That they will now speake for the." —
He prayed the Duke of Buckingham, 255
And also the Earle of Schrowesburye,
Also my Lord Fitz water, soe wyse,
And the good Lord Wyllabee,
Sir Ryse ap Thomas, a knyghte of pryce,
And all they spake for longe Jame. 26>
They had nott standen but a lytyll whyle ther©>
The duke and the earles. in their talking ;
APPENDIX. 381
Streighte to the earle came a messenger,
That came lately from the kynge ;
And bad that Long Jame shoulde be sende ; 265
There shoulde nether be grythe nor grace :
But on a boughe he shoulde hanged
In mydest the feylde before the earle's face.
" Yf that be," said the Earle of Derbye,
" I trust our prynce wyll better bee, 27Q
(Suche tythandes maketh my herte full heavye,)
Affore his grace when that we be."
The Duke of Buckingham toke Jame by the on arme,
And the Earle of Shrewesburye by the other ;
Affore them they put the kynge of Man, 275
It was the Earle of Derbye and non other :
The Lord Fitzwater he followed faste,
And so did the Lord Wyllabye;
The comfortable Cobham made greate haste :
All went with the novvble Earle of Derbye. 280
The Hynde Hassal hied on faste,
With th" iustye Lealand trulye;
Soe did Alexander Osboston
Come in with the Earle of Derbye.
382 APPENDIX.
The ryall Rateliffe that rude v/as neuer, 285
And the trustye Trafforde kene to trye,
And wighte Warberton out of Chesshire,
All came with the Earl of Derbye.
Sir Ryse ap Thomas, a knyghte of Walles,
Came forthe even with a feirce meny :* 2£0
He bend his bowes on the bent to abyde,
And cleane vnsett the gallowes-tree.
When as they came affore the kynge,
Lowlye they knelyd vpon their knees.
The fyrste wurdes that our prynce did mynge 295
Said, " Welcome dukes and earles unto me !
" But the most welcome hither of all,
Is oure owne traytour Longe Jame !
Jame, howe darest thou be soe boulde
As in our presence for to bee, 300
To slay thy brethren within their houlde
Thou waste sworne to them, and they to thee."-—
Then began Longe Jame to speake boulde,
u My leige, yf it like your grace to pardon me.
* Company.
APPENDIX. 383
" When I was to my sopper sett 305
They caled me coward to my face,
And of their talkyng they would not lett;
And thus with them vpbrayded that I was,
They bad me flee from them apace
To that coward the Earle of Derbye. 310
When I was lytell, and had small grace,
Hee was my helpe and succaire trulye !
" Hee toke me from my father deare,
And keeped me within his wone, *
Tyll I was able of my selfe 315
Bothe to shoot and picke a stone :
Then after vnder Greenwiche, vpon a daye,
A Scottishe Mynstrell came to the,
And broughte a bowe of vewef to drawe,
And all the guarde myght not stirre that tree. 320
i
" Then the bowe was gyven to the Earl of Derbye,
And the earle deliuered it to me;
Seven shottes before your face I shotte,
And at the eighte in sunder it did flie.
* Dwelling. + Yew.
38* APPENDIX.
Then I bad the Scott bowe downe his face, 325
And gedere vp the bowe, and brynge it to his kynge:
Then yt lyked your nowble grace
Into your guarde me to brynge.
" Sythen I haue lyved a merye lyffe,
I thanke your grace and the Earle of Derbye. 330
But to haue the earle rebuked thus,
That my bringer-vp forsothe was hee,
I had leaver suffer deathe," he said,
" Then be false to the earle that was true to me !" —
" Stand up Jame," said our kynge, 335
" Have here my charter I gyve it thee.
" Let me have no more feighting of thee,
Whyles thou arte within Fraunce lande I" —
" Then one thinge ye must grante," said Jame,
" That your wurde theron may stand, 340
Whoesoe rebuketh Lancashire and Chesshire,
Shortelye shall be demed to dye." —
Our prynce comaunded a crye, I wys,
To be proclaymed hastelye. —
" Yf the dukes and earles knele on their knees, 345
Yt settethe on sterre the Comynalite,
12
APPENDIX. 385
■a
Yf that we be vpbrayded thus
Mony a man is lyke to dye/' — *
The kynge said, " He i>at rebuketh Lancashire or
Cheshire,
He shall haue his judgment on the next tree !" 350
Then soe they were styll at reste
For the space of a nyghte, as I wene.
And on the other day, without leassing,
There came a messenger from the queene ;
And when he came before our kynge, 355
Lowlye he kneled vpon his knee,
And said : " Christe the save our nowble prynce,
This our nowble kynge thy speede may bee !
Here gretteth you well your lyffe and liking, f
Your honourable queene and faire ladye ; 360
u And bydeth you in Fraunce for to be glad,
For slayne is youre brother-in-law Kynge Jame ;
* These four lines seem to belong to Jamy's speech, and
Iiave probably changed place with the preceding four.
+ Spouse. MS. Harl. 293.
2B
336 APPENDIX.
And at lovelye London he shall be founde,
My com lye pry nee in the presence of thee \"
Then bespoke our comly prynce, 365
And said : " Whoe did feighte, and who did flee ?
And who bare them beste vpon the Mounte of Floden r
And whoe were false, aad who were true to me ?"—
" Lancashire and Chesshire," said the messenger,
" They haue done the deede with their hande. 370
Had not the Earle of Derbye bene to the true,
In great aduenture had bene all England !"— -
Then bespake our prynce with an highe word : *
" Sir Rauphe Egerton my marshall 1 make the I
Sir Edward Standley thou shalt be a lorde ; 375
Yea Lorde Mounteigle shalt thou be !
Yonge John Standley shall be a knighte,
As he is well wurthye for to bee !"—
The Duke of Buckingham the tythandes harde ryghte, f
And shortlye ran to the Earle of Derbye : 380
* Then bespake our prynce on highe. MS. 367.
t Harde. MS. 367.
APPENDIX. 357
" Plucke vp thy harte, brother, and be mery*,
And let no tythandes greve the !
Yesterdaye thy men cowardes called were,*
And this dc.y haue wonne the victorye."
The duke toke the earle by the arme, 385
And lede him to the pry nee trulye.
Seaven rowdes of grounde the kynge he came,
And said : " Welcome, kynge of Man, and Earle of
Derbve !
This thynge that I haue from the taken,
I give it agayn to the whollye, 390
The marihallyng-^ of Lancashire and Chesshire men,:
At thy byddyng euer for to be.
" For thes mene§ be true to Thomas || indeede.
They bene true bothe to the and me/' —
" Yett one thinge greveth me/' the earle saide, 395
" And in my harte maketh me heavye,
* Cowardes were they. MS, 293.
+ Manratton. MS. 367. } Bothe, ib.
'-. The»e men. We have here an example of ihr
prorerbial popularity of True Thomas of ErcUdoun,
3S8 APPENDIX.
This daye to heare they wan the feilde,
And yesterdaye cowardes for to bee !" —
" Yt was a wrong wryting," said our kynge,
" That came from the Earle of Surrey. 40O
" But I shall hym teache his prynce to knowe,
And ever we come in our countrye !" —
" I aske no more/' sayd the earl now,*
" For all that my men have done trulye.
That I myselfe his judgement may pronounce, f 405
Of that nowble Earle of Surrey." —
" Stande vp Thomas," said our prynce,
" Lorde Marshall that I shall make the.
" And thou shalt gyve the judgement thyselfe,
And as thou sayeste soe shall yt be !" — 410
Then sayd the earle : " Saved is his lyfe : J
I thank Jesu, and your grace trulye !
My vncle slewe his father deare,
He wolde haue venged hym on me/' —
* The nowble earl. MS. '67.
+ But that 1 gyve judgement myself. lb.
J Then is his lyffe saved, said the earle. lb.
APPENDIX. 389
" Thou arte very patiente," our kynge sware,* 415
" The Holy Ghoste remayneth in the !
11 On the southe syde of Torney thou shalt stand,
With my godfather, Earle of Shrewesburye !" —
And so to that siege forthe they ganged, f
The nowble Shrewesburye, and the Earle of Derbye:
And they layde siege vnto the wallcs batled,! 421
And wan the towne within dayes three.
Thus was Lancashire and Chesshire rebuked,
Throughe the polycie of the Earle of Surrey.
• Nowe God, that was in Beathleam borne, 425
And for vs dyed vpon a tree,
Save our nowble prynces that weareth the crowne,
And have mercye on the Earle of Derbye ! §
* Said our kynge. lb. t Went. lb.
J Probably for battlemented.
§ On the Earle's sowle of Derbye. MS. 367,
THE END.
Edinburgh :
Printed by James Ballantyne & Co.
PR
Flodden Field
2199
The battle of Flodden
F6
Field
1808
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